A 'PROFESSIONAL' burglar from Theale has been jailed for four years after stealing luxury cars from outside homes across the county.

Dale Northcote was a member of an organised gang that travelled hundreds of miles to steal high-end cars by pinching keys from inside homes then driving away.

The 24-year-old, of Meadow Way, Theale, was sentenced at Reading Crown Court on Friday after being convicted of three counts of burglary.

Northcote admitted three counts of burlgary on March 27 which related to offences in Pankhurst Drive, Bracknell, on September 27, Webb Close in Binfield and Hazel Close in Marlow on October 8, 2012.

He was arrested on May 6, 2014 and charged on July 31, 2014.

Detective Constable Doug Crowe, of Bracknell CID, said: “I am very pleased with the sentence Northcote has received, which comes after a lengthy investigation involving numerous witnesses and police officers from several different stations.

“Hopefully this sentence will reflect the serious nature of Northcote’s offending following his role in this organised team of professional burglars targeting keys for high value vehicles in the Bracknell Forest and Marlow areas.

“Northcote and his associates would drive substantial distances targeting high end vehicles on the victims’ driveways. They stole keys from the victIms’ homes and and the cars driven away. On the 8 October 2012 they stole a Mercedes in Marlow then drove to Binfield, Berkshire, where they then stole a Lexus using the same method before driving away in convoy. These were planned crimes involving several criminals. Several stolen vehicles from these burglaries were never recovered."

“Some of the victims have been greatly affected by these crimes and hopefully now they can move on knowing Northcote is serving time in prison."

Jason Lambourn, 28, of Conway Road, Calcot, was jointly charged with Northcote but denied all the charges. Following a three day trial at Reading Crown Court in June 2015, Lambourn was found not guilty on three counts of burglary in a dwelling.