A burglar who was caught on CCTV showing shop workers how to play a saxophone he had just stolen has been jailed for three years.

Aden Lungley, 47, of Colchester Road, Romford, broke into a home in Squirrels Heath Lane, Romford on October 16 last year.

Among the items he stole were car keys, Vietnamese Bhat and a distinctive alto saxophone.

But the thief had blown it before long, quite literally. Havering officers traced the missing instrument to a Romford second-hand goods shop where Lungley was captured on CCTV on the same day of the burglary showing staff how to blow into the mouthpiece before selling it for cash.

The transaction details recorded Lungley’s name and home address, which police searched and found the receipt linking Lungley to the shop as well as the victim’s car keys and Vietnamese Bhat.

During interview, Lungley told police he was selling the alto saxophone on behalf of an unnamed friend and continued with this account throughout his trial.

After his sentencing at Snaresbrook Crown Court on Monday, Det Con Ed Gooderson, of Havering’s Serious Acquisitive Crime Unit, said: “Lungley sought to deprive the victims of their hard earned possessions.

“Offences of burglary are very intrusive and I am pleased with the sentenced imposed by the court. I hope this may bring some form of closure to the victims.”