A man who had been serving time for a burglary in Tadworth has seen his sentence extended by two years last week after further evidence was uncovered from his mobile phone.

Jason Johnston, 47, pleaded guilty on September 27 to a string of offences committed in Surrey, including Banstead, and saw his sentence extended to eight years.

Mr Johnston was already serving six years for a burglary in Tadworth in October 2016 during which he was interrupted by the homeowner.

The victim chased Mr Johnston from his home and managed to get pictures of the getaway car. Police tracked down the car, arrested Mr Johnston and seized his phone.

Phone evidence linked him to a further 10 burglaries across East Surrey, during which £37,495.31 worth of jewellery, cash and other items were taken.

For this he received a further two years added on to his sentence and he will have another three years’ probation on his release.

PC Elliott Hartley, who investigated the burglaries, said: “I hope that the sentence given to Johnston this week will send out a strong message that we will not tolerate burglaries being committed in our local communities and that we will do everything possible to identify those responsible.

“I would like to thank DC Rackstraw for all her assistance during this investigation.”