An electrician who stole more than 100 sets of fog lights from cars across the county - and even sold one item back to its original owner - has been jailed.

Alexander Cashford, 39, was locked up for three years and four months at Maidstone Crown Court after pleading guilty to multiple counts of theft from vehicles.

Cashford, formerly of Moor Street, Rainham, stole thousands of pounds worth of vehicle parts from cars including Mercedes, Vauxhalls, Audis, Citroens and Fords.

Officers investigating the crimes identified more than 160 victims who had fog lights and other vehicle parts removed from their cars.

Police believed Cashford was selling on the vehicle parts.

He was charged with a string of offences and it is estimated the stolen parts came to at least £63,000.

Cashford identified selling opportunities in newer vehicles such as the Mercedes C Class, where the LED running lights were costly to replace if bought directly from dealers.

The court heard how Cashford set about carefully removing the lights and then selling them on eBay.

The thief even sold a vehicle badge back to the man he had stolen it from.

The Vauxhall Insignia badge was stolen from the car which had been parked in a car park in Gravesend, in January last year.

"Cashford can best be described as a one man crime wave who identified an illegal gap in the market to turn over a quick profit..." - DC Khattoare

Looking to find a replacement the owner had searched eBay and purchased another badge and it was later discovered Cashford had been the seller.

Detectives raided Cashford’s home in December last year and seized a large amount of vehicle parts hidden behind a bath panel.

The items included car badges and fog lights from Vauxhall Insignia’s, Audi wheel centres, fog lights and LED running lights for Mercedes and Citroens and Ford fog lights.

Detectives then found more car parts in the garage and further searches proof of postage receipts for parcels and £6,000 hidden in a bedroom.

Cashford was arrested and charged a few days later and admitted almost 200 offences relating to vehicle theft, money laundering and making off without payment.

DC Michael Champion and DC Sarbjeet Khattoare investigated the crime spree.

DC Khattoare said: “Cashford can best be described as a one man crime wave who identified an illegal gap in the market to turn over a quick profit.

“With the introduction of led light technology into newer cars he recognised that people would be looking for cheaper alternatives when parts needed replacing.

“By stealing the lights he was able to make thousands whilst the victims of the crime often were left having to stump up the cash to find replacements.

“I am pleased we were able to put a stop to these crimes.’

Cashford targeted vehicles in Rochester, Rainham, Gravesend, Dartford, Sittingbourne, Maidstone, Bexley, Welling and Sidcup.