A 'prolific' burglar who pleaded guilty to dozens of offences over a 12 year period was jailed for four years.

Stephen Patrick Broderick, 35, from Sutton, pleaded guilty to 62 offences in Epsom and Ewell, Mole Valley and Reigate when he appeared at Wimbledon Crown court on Wednesday.

An investigation carried out by detectives from Surrey Police and officers in the Metropolitan Police led to the burglar’s arrest.

Detective Constable Simon Quinn, the Investigating officer, said: “Stephen Broderick was a prolific offender having been linked to more than 250 offences across Surrey and London and estimated to have been involved in the theft of up to £700,000-worth of goods over a 12-year period.

“Broderick was a cunning burglar, going to great lengths to blend into the environments he attacked; he targeted Surrey from a base in London and managed to avoid detection until he was linked forensically to a burglary in Dorking. I hope this sentence goes a long way to reassure the community that Surrey Police will always take robust action to bring offenders to justice.”

Items stolen by Broderick included motor vehicles, jewellery, computers, televisions, cameras, video recorders, games consoles, telephones, MP3 players and sports equipment.