Convicted Burglar's Sentences Extended

15 August 2013, 12:02 | Updated: 15 August 2013, 12:45

Two convicted burglars had an extra two and a half years added to their sentences for a series of burglaries in Watford.

James Connors, 44, and Daniel White, 21, targeted the homes of Asian people in the Hempstead Road area, believing they kept large amounts of gold jewellery.

At one address White got away with £20,000 worth of jewellery.

The pair also stole Audi cars from homes, taking fake number plates with them to help them get away from the scene. The total amount they got away with was £44,000, which the prosecution are seeking to confiscate.

Connors of Wellington Road, Harrow and White of no fixed address pleaded guilty to conspiring to burgle home between 1 May and 6 September last year.

As part of the Hertfordshire police investigation, called Operation Manhunt, a specialist unit was set up to investigate distraction burglaries against elderly people.

Both men had been sentenced to four years in prison at Aylesbury crown court for a series of burglaries at elderly peoples' home in Hampshire Court, Bletchley, Milton Keynes last August. When the police arrived at the scene they escaped in a car that sped off through Bucks, Beds and Herts, reaching speeds of 160 miles per hour.

8 offences were committed in Watford, six in Milton Keyens and two in Dunmow, Essex.

For White, Adrian Amer said he was still a young man with a family who wanted to put crime behind him.

Nicholas James for Connors said he also wanted to support his large family. He said he had not been involved in distraction burglaries.

Judge Andrew Bright QC increased the pair's sentences saying: "After the sentencing at Aylesbury the full extent of your criminal behaviour became clear. These were professional and sophisticated crimes committed in three counties over several months last year."