A man has been convicted of burgling a community group project and derelict building after leaving his DNA at both scenes.

Copper cables worth between £1,000 and £4,000 were stolen from the former Crown Secretarial College in Sutton Road, Southend, sometime between June 1 and 8 last year.

Two tool boxes were found at the scene that did not belong to any workmen at the building site.

One of the boxes contained a drinks bottle lid, which was later tested and a DNA match was made linking it to Samuel Jackson, 36, of Outing Close, Southend.

A second burglary was reported at the Men’s Shed, a community-run project in Brook Road, Rayleigh, sometime between June 22 and 26.

Boxes of tools were stolen from a wooden lean-to, which had been forced open.

A screwdriver left at the scene was tested and again showed a DNA match for Jackson.

He was later arrested and charged with two counts of burglary, which he denied.

Jackson stood trial at Basildon Crown Court on Monday, August 6 and was found guilty by a jury on Wednesday, August 8.

He is due to be sentenced on September 4.