A PROLIFIC teenage burglar who targeted Essex homes for high value, prestige vehicles has been put behind bars.

Patrick Clark, 18, was arrested on March 24 after an Audi S5 he was involved in stealing in Harlow failed to stop for officers on the A414 in St Alban’s.

Clark sped off from officers, hitting speeds of more than 150mph before he was stopped.

When detectives investigated the vehicle, they found face coverings, an axe, cannabis and gloves were found inside.

They were soon linked to two burglaries in Harlow and Biggleswade, in Bedfordshire.

Subsequent police inquiries linked Clark to more attempted burglaries and other offences in Harlow and Epping.

Clark, of Roundfield Avenue, Harpenden, Hertfordshire, was sentenced at Luton Crown Court to two years and eight months in prison.

In total, he admitted 34 offences including burglaries, aggravated vehicle taking and theft of alcohol.

All the offences were committed in February and March this year.

He was sentenced to a further year in jail, to run concurrently, for conspiracy to steal four vehicles – the Audi S5, a Jaguar XF R Sport, a Mercedes GLA 200 and a Ford Focus.

Clark was also disqualified from driving for two years and seven months and he was ordered to take an extended re-test, his driving licence was endorsed for driving without insurance and he was ordered to pay a victim surcharge.

Investigating officer PC Adam Drane, of Harlow CID, said after the hearing: “We are committed to getting justice for burglary victims because we understand how having your home broken into can affect people.

“Clark is a prolific offender and caused fear and misery to many people through his acquisitive actions.

“I would urge anyone who is burgled to report it to us as quickly as possible so we can make immediate inquiries and ensure that we gather as much evidence to identify the suspects and put them before the courts.”