A MAN has been sentenced to two-and-a-half years in jail following the theft of two cars.

John Shrubshall, 39, of Moriston Close, Reading, appeared at Winchester Crown Court on Friday, 23 March, having pleaded guilty to one count of burglary and another of handling stolen goods.

The court heard that the burglary took place at a house in Cyprus Road, Hatch Warren, sometime between midday on Saturday, 6 January and 1.45pm the following day.

During the incident Shrubshall stole electrical items, including laptops, as well as two sets of car keys.

One of the keys belonged to a Fiat Panda which was then stolen from the address.

Shrubshall was later arrested on a separate matter and found to be in possession of the car keys for the Fiat Panda, with the car being recovered nearby.

The court also heard that the handling of stolen goods charge related to Shrubshall being seen driving a Honda CRV car that had been stolen during a burglary at a house in Wallis Road, Eastrop, in July 2017.

Speaking after the hearing PC Craig Robinson said: “This sentence shows that the court recognises the impact that this crime can have on victims.

“It should provide some reassurance to the community that we take these offences seriously and will do all we can to see offenders brought to justice.”

Shrubshall was sentenced to 30 months in jail for the burglary charge, and 18 months imprisonment for the handling of stolen goods charge, to run concurrently.