A Dagenham man who carried out a burglary before jetting off on holiday two days later will be sentenced.

Ricky Lambert, 30, of Lillechurch Road, teamed up with Alec Deeble, 27, of no fixed address, to carry out the break-in at a property in Chigwell.

Ipswich Crown Court heard the pair escaped with cash and an expensive men’s watch after following their victim back to his house on January 5 this year at 4pm.

Compelling CCTV footage showed them arriving at the victim’s home in two separate vehicles and monitoring the address.

They broke in when the victim went out before escaping with their loot in the two vehicles.

Essex Police officers identified them both in the CCTV footage and received information that Lambert had gone to Amsterdam for the weekend.

Lambert was arrested as he returned to Southend Airport and was wearing the same coat he wore during the burglary

Deeble had gone to the airport to pick up Lambert up in the same vehicle he used in the burglary.

He was also arrested and a key belonging to the victim was found under the front passenger seat of his car.

Deeble pleaded guilty to burglary in March before his trial.

Ricky Lambert was found guilty of burglary by a jury last week.

Investigating officer Det Con Ricky Rodd, from Loughton CID, said: “Deeble and Lambert thought they had got away it, with one flying abroad just days later.

“They thought wrong and we arrested Lambert at the airport gate when he returned, and Deeble as he waited for Lambert outside.

“I would like to thank the victim for his support and co-operation during our investigation.

“Lambert and Deeble are prolific burglars who have worked together the past.

“Hopefully, that trip to Amsterdam will be last for a while.”

Both men will be sentenced at a later date.