A "DANGEROUS" burglar carrying a shotgun broke into two houses, stole jewellery and bank cards then went on a spending spree.

William Ripley was one of two men who forced their way through a locked door at a house in St Leonards on September 16.

They threatened one of the residents and took about £200 cash before fleeing in a car.

The next day the 42-year-old broke into a house in Peasmarsh and stole jewellery as well as bank and credit cards.

He then used one of these to go on a shopping spree at several stores in the area.

Police Investigator Bernadette Peters said: “From CCTV at the locations where the card was used we subsequently identified Ripley.

“In the early hours of September 18 a car stolen in another burglary in St Leonards earlier that month was seen being driven near Rye.”

Officers found the car abandoned near Three Oaks with jewellery from the Peasmarsh burglary inside.

Police Investigator Bernadette Peters added: “Our investigation has resulted in a dangerous burglar being taken off the streets and sentenced to a substantial term of imprisonment. Victims from both the addresses were understandably frightened by what happened, and the presence of the firearm at the St Leonards house shows the level of fear Ripley intended to demonstrate.”

Ripley, of London Road in St Leonards, was sentenced at Lewes Crown Court on April 4 to 11 years for aggravated burglary at the house in St Leonards and a further burglary at a house in Peasmarsh.