Cajun sausage stew

Name: Cajun sausage stew
Ingredients: 2 tbsp vegetable oil; 6 pork sausages, chopped into bite-sized pieces; 1 onion, roughly chopped; 1 carrot, roughly chopped; 1 celery stick, roughly chopped; 1 red pepper, roughly chopped; 3 garlic cloves, roughly chopped; 2 thyme sprigs, plus a few to garnish (optional); 1 heaped tbsp Cajun spice mix; 1 tsp sweet smoked paprika; 400g can chopped tomatoes; 300ml beef stock; 400g can kidney beans in chilli sauce; jacket or mashed potatoes or crusty bread, to serve (optional)