A man has been convicted of handling stolen goods after a series of boat outboard engines were stolen to the value of approximately £6,000.
Matthew Lamb, 34, from Elm Close, Tiptree received a 14 month prison sentence for handling stolen property and drugs offences.
In February 2014 Essex Police Marine Unit were alerted to a number of thefts, from Burnham Yacht Harbour, and started the police investigation which led to an arrest and searches of several premises.
A small quantity of drugs and a large amount of high value property estimated to be around £10,000-£15,000 was recovered from across the UK.
Since that time much of the property has been identified as belonging to victims of thefts from areas all over Essex.
Some victims have been reunited with the stolen items including a man from Chelmsford whose outboard motor was traced by police to an address in Cheshire by searching Ebay.
Owner of the outboard motor, Graham Woodward, said: "I am exceptionally impressed with Essex Police tracking down and returning my outboard motor and the successfully prosecution of the person responsible."
The investigation was carried out by Pc Shaun Heckles and Mersea officer Pc Shaun Hammond with help from the boating community and culminated in one of the men involved, Matthew Lamb, from Elm Close, Tiptree appearing at Chelmsford Crown Court on July 21.
Investigations are still ongoing into a second suspect.
Pc Heckles said: "The case demonstrates the positive outcome that can be achieved by recording property serial numbers and underlines the importance of taking certain crime prevention measures such as, where feasible, the removal of outboard engines when not in use.
"It also shows the determination of Essex Police to pursue and prosecute those involved in marine crime."
