A burglar who broke into a village policeman's house while he was away on a weekend break has been jailed for 18 months.

Danny Williams, 24, broke into PC Ian Barefoot's home in Tilgate, near Crawley, dressed in a Robin Hood-style coat.

Williams and friend Steven Robinson, 19, pulled up outside the policeman's empty home in a Ford Fiesta, Middlesex Guildhall Crown Court heard.

A suspicious neighbour saw the two men look the property over before disappearing behind a hedge.

When police arrived, officers saw Williams and the other man running from the scene. Williams was seen carrying a holdall containing property stolen from the house, jurors heard.

PC Barefoot's warrant card was taken in the raid, along with a digital camera, video camera, rings, a watch and a mobile phone.

Neighbour Patrick O'Brien said he saw a car outside the officer's home in Tilgate Way in April this year and called police when he saw the men acting suspiciously.

Roger Booth, prosecuting, said officers arrived at the scene as Williams and his pal fled the house.

Williams had socks on his hands and was clutching a bag containing some of the stolen property.

Williams, of Abrahams Road, Broadfield, Crawley, was convicted by a jury of burglary. He denied the charge.

Robinson, of Poundhill, Crawley, admitted burglary at Crawley Magistrates Court in April and was sentenced to six months in a young offenders' institution.

In addition to the 18 months, Williams must serve the remaining 85 days of an eight-month jail term imposed at Crawley Magistrates Court for aggravated vehicle taking last year.