TWO burglars have been jailed after a spate of break-ins.

James Russell and Martyn Perry denied conspiracy to commit six burglaries across Horsham and Crawley in January and February.

But the duo were found guilty at trial, and Judge Christine Henson QC sent them to prison for seven years each.

Russell, 30, of Dale Close in Horsham, was spotted by police driving a stolen car in Crawley Road in February last year.

After a search at his home, a number of stolen items were found.

So police launched a further investigation, and discovered that Perry, 26, of Meridian Close in Crawley, was his partner in crime.

Perry was also sentenced to a further 18 months in prison for a separate burglary in Ifield near Crawley in April.

Police investigator Tom Carpenter said: “Russell and Perry showed a total disregard for the impact of their actions on the victims and thought they would be able to get away with their behaviour. The sentence given to both parties shows the seriousness of this matter."

He said the stolen items were able to be returned to the rightful owners.