A BURGLAR who jumped out of a window to escape police after stealing a Rolex watch has been jailed for four and a half years.

Edward Williams, 21, was arrested following an investigation by Benfleet officers PC Paul Gerrish and Communications Supervisor Matt Hine.

Williams, of South View Road, Grays was found guilty of burgling a house in Peterborough on October 17 last year.

He stole a Rolex watch, a diamond pendent and a number of pieces of gold jewellery and was caught thanks to a fingerprint left on the rear view mirror of a stolen Ford Kuga, seen near the address at the time of the burglary.

PC Gerrish and CS Hine traced the car to Rainham and believed the stolen car was being driven by a suspect using false number plates in order to burgle homes across South Essex.

Williams was spotted on the A13 in Benfleet travelling Southend-bound on October 21 last year before parking up outside a flat in Kentell Road.

The officers heard activity from one of the upstairs flats and blocked the Kuga. Edwards then jumped out of a window in a bid to escape.

He was arrested in connection with the stolen vehicle and for the Peterborough burglary.

He pleaded guilty and was jailed at Peterborough Crown Court for four and a half years.

Detective Sergeant Dave Taylor, from Cambridge Police, said: "This sentence should act as a warning that cross-border criminals cannot escape justice.”