by Hayley Robinson

Three men have been jailed after an attempted burglary at a town shop.

Officers were called to reports of a break-in at the rear of the CEX store at The Forum shopping centre, Sittingbourne High Street, at 2.40am, on Thursday, April 18.

The trio were tracked by CCTV operators and eventually apprehended by police.

Jason Bowers, 41, of Pear Tree Walk, Newington, and John Crittenden, 35, of Laburnum Place, Sittingbourne, were found in the High Street.

Sean Reed, 40, also of Laburnum Place, was found hiding in a bin at the rear of a shop.

All three were arrested and charged with attempted burglary with intent to steal.

No items were taken from the shop, but damage was caused to a door. The men pleaded guilty when they appeared before Maidstone Magistrates’ Court. They were each sentenced to 120 days in prison.

Investigating officer DC Kathryn Lumsden-Earle said: “Thanks to a joint effort between CCTV and response officers, we were able to locate and detain the offenders within minutes of the offence being reported.”

During the past 21 weeks the Sittingbourne Messenger has been reporting on attempted break-ins and burglaries across the town.

More than 210 incidents have been brought to our attention.

The latest incidents are as follows: Paperwork about a householder’s vehicles, plus jewellery, bank cards and a mobile phone were stolen from a property in Quinton Road, Quinton, overnight on April 22 – crime reference number XY/012317/13.

Burglars may have gained access to a property in Grovehurst Road, Kemsley, by reaching through a cat flap to open the back door.

Various items were stolen. It happened between 7.30am and 2.30pm on Friday, April 26 – crime reference number XY/012732/13.

Meanwhile, a teenager from Sittingbourne has admitted breaking into houses and taking items from cars.

The 17-year-old, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded guilty to one count of burglary and admitted 28 other offences when he appeared before Medway Magistrates’ Court on April 19.

All of the incidents took place in Swale and Medway and the teenager is now awaiting sentencing.