THREE burglars who targeted homes to steal valuable cars have been jailed for a total of almost eight years.

Jason Innes, 25, of Roundwell Avenue, Bierley, Bradford, a "three strikes" burglar with a significant and extensive criminal record, was locked up for 40 months at Bradford Crown Court yesterday.

John Fletcher, 26, of Corban Street, Odsal, Bradford, was jailed for 31 months. They were involved in two burglaries on consecutive nights.

Jamie Scott, 26, of Stonecliffe Lane, Farnley, Leeds, who was recruited as the driver for the second burglary, was jailed for 22 months.

All three pleaded guilty to burglary and theft.

Judge David Hatton QC said cars of considerable value were stolen in burglaries at occupied premises on consecutive nights.

The judge said: "These premises were clearly targeted and the offences were planned. It's clear only sentences of imprisonment can be appropriate."

Prosecutor Michael Jowett said the offences were Hanoi burglaries during which car keys were taken and then cars stolen, in August last year.

The first burglary was at a house in Shepley, near Huddersfield. The occupants, who had a young child, woke up to find the kitchen drawers had been opened and their Mercedes and Land Rover cars were missing from the drive.

The thieves had stolen a fob to open and close electronic gates to make their escape.

The second burglary, involving all three defendants, took place the following night at a house in Flash Lane, Mirfield, occupied by a couple with a 12-month-old baby. A Volkswagen Golf and Seat Ibiza were stolen. The Golf contained two coats valued at £770, a £480 child's car seat and a £240 pushchair.

Police studied CCTV footage which showed the stolen vehicles being driven in convoy with a red van, which was traced. Inside the van were screwdrivers, pliers, gloves and a wrench. The Mercedes was fitted with a tracker device and police located it opposite Innes's home. The other stolen vehicles were not found.

Stephen Couch, representing Innes, said his client had a poor start in life and drifted into the wrong company after the death of his grandfather.

Fletcher's barrister, Andrew Dallas, said gambling lay at the root of his client's offending and he was in debt to people who did not like to be kept waiting for their money.

"He agreed to lend himself to this enterprise in desperation to pay back £5,000," said Mr Dallas. "Gambling is easier to do than ever before."

He said Fletcher had been bailed to an address in Durham, where he had stayed out of trouble and got himself work.

Mr Dallas added: "He intends, as soon as he can, to continue to start a new life in a new area, bringing his family up there, and getting away from the associates that are impossible to avoid when he lives down here."

Richard Canning, for Scott, said he was recruited for the second burglary. It was not his idea and stood to gain little from the offence, which he committed because he was in debt.

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