Two jailed for £40k home raids across Shropshire
Two men involved in three burglaries at rural homes during which more than £40,000 worth of property was stolen have both been jailed.
Christopher Reece, 27, and Daniel Burns, 35, were said to have been part of a conspiracy to commit burglary in September last year which saw daytime raids carried out in villages across Shropshire.
Jewellery, bank cards, TV sets and iPads were among the items taken.
They were arrested days after the raids when a tracking device in a stolen iPhone led police to Reece's address in Telford. At Shrewsbury Crown Court yesterday Reece was jailed for four years and Burns was sentenced to three years and four months.
Judge Robin Onions said the pair had been part of a gang involved in targeting houses in remote areas.
Reece, of Wedgwood Crescent, Ketley, and Burns, of Church Street, Hadley, both admitted a charge of conspiracy to commit burglary. The court heard that over a five-day period in September the defendants were involved in raids at properties in Edgeley, near Whitchurch, and at Ellerdine and Upper Longwood, both near Telford.
Mr Kevin Jones, prosecuting, said that at Edgeley a TV, camera and jewellery worth £4,000 was taken. At Ellerdine £14,000 of goods, including bank cards and a collection of commemorative coins and items of jewellery were stolen. At Upper Longwood, around £23,000 worth of jewellery and iPads and mobile phones were taken.
Mr Jones said that after Reece was traced police found text messages which linked him to Burns, who was also arrested.
The court heard Reece had a drug problem. Burns had been addicted to heroin.
