Two men travelled from London to Higham intent on burgling a house to get funds to buy drugs, a court heard.

Craig Moody and Stephen Liddell struck after Natalie Maynard left her home to take her young daughter to school on June 23 last year.

When they returned she discovered the break-in. One room had been ransacked and her Citroen DS4 car had been stolen from outside.

The car keys had been taken from the house along with bracelets, watches, a handbag and laptop computer.

“It is an all too familiar scenario for home owners - people who are law-abiding and hard working who would expect they would be safe from harm and violation in their own home,” said Judge Jeremy Carey.

“Victims never forget the experience. When they go home and unlock the door there is the fear someone has been in their property.”

Offenders, he said, would be severely punished so that the public would know there was a deterrent in burglary.

Maidstone Crown Court heard Moody crashed the car three days later in south London while drunk.

It followed a police chase in the Eltham area. The car struck a Vauxhall Vectra with four people in it, causing injuries.

Moody drove off and then reversed into a police car before colliding with a parked Volvo. He ran off but was caught and bitten by a police dog.

He was found to be more than one-and-a-half times the legal alcohol limit. A knife was found in the car.

The 27-year-old, Jessop Close, Woolwich, south east London, admitted burglary, theft, dangerous driving, possessing a bladed article and having no licence or insurance.

Liddell, 35, of Ravens Way, Lee Green, south east London, denied burglary but was convicted.

Moody, who had been recalled to prison for other offending, was jailed for four years - three years for the burglary and a year consecutive for dangerous driving - and banned from driving for three years.

Liddell, who was already a serving prisoner, was jailed for two years. Both were repeat burglars.

Judge Carey told them: “It is depressingly familiar for the public and victims. You know what the score is. You know you will be severely punished so the public knows there is a deterrent.”

Moody appeared in court with “multiple stitches” in his face, having been attacked in prison. He had also had boiling water poured on his feet.

James Ross, for Liddell, said the father-of-two had described Brixton Prison, where he was held, as a war zone.

Liddell, a stonemason by trade, was jailed for six years in 2008 and released in 2011. He had since made a concerted effort to turn his life around, said Mr Ross.

“He has led a law-abiding life for the past five years,” he added. “He hopes to hit the ground running having got himself clear of drugs and resume his career.”

Detective Constable Louise Randall said: "Moody and Liddell are opportunist criminals. They waited for the victim to go out before breaking into the property, rummaging through personal belongings and stealing whatever valuable items they could find. They then stole a car to quickly get away from the area.

"Burglary is an invasive crime and I am pleased both men have been given custodial sentences."