Burglars locked up over raid

Two young burglars have been locked up after stealing more than £10,000 worth of cash and jewellery from a house in the Black Country.

Grant Lycett, aged 20, and 18-year-old Billy Thomas broke into the property with their friend Jamie Benbow, who is 19, after checking the occupier was out.

The trio had all denied involvement but were each convicted following a trial at Wolverhampton Crown Court. They had been remanded on bail until yesterday for pre sentence reports.

Thomas was three months into a referral order received for another burglary, while Lycett had previously received a caution for a similar offence when they struck in Hamstead Road, Great Barr on May last year.

Prosecutor David Swinnerton said: "They knew there was an alleyway they could use to get in and out and waited until it was dusk.

"Then they ransacked the property before escaping with £10,400 worth of jewellery and cash, none of which has been recovered."

He added: "The l police suspect these three of being involved in a great deal of anti social behaviour."

The trio were identified from CCTV camera film that showed them running away and were arrested several days later.

Lycett from Sandfield Road, Stone Cross, West Bromwich and Thomas who lived in the same road as the burgled house were each sent to a young offenders institution for nine months.

Benbow of West Road, Great Barr, who had no previous convictions, received a suspended nine month period of detention with a 90 day night time curfew and 150 hours unpaid work.