Two young fathers have been jailed after they went on a burglary spree of homes in Maidstone, Sevenoaks, Tonbridge and Cranbrook.

Craig Gillingham was sentenced to five years and Craig Chamberlain, whose girlfriend is expecting a second child, to three-and-a-half years.

One burglary in which only Gillingham, 25, was involved netted about £50,000 of jewellery and “specialist” watches at the home of Sarah Vincent in Royston Road, Bearsted, in November 2013.

Gillingham, of Randall Street, Maidstone, and Chamberlain, 21, formerly of Redstart Avenue, Maidstone, now of Crabb Apple Road, Tonbridge, admitted conspiracy to burgle shortly before they were due to stand trial last month.

Gillingham’s girlfriend Aimi-Rose Frankham, 26, was also charged but no further evidence was offered against her after the pleas.

Prosecutor Trevor Wright said the jewellery stolen in the Bearsted break-in was of great sentimental value and could not be replaced.

It included a handmade engagement ring. Her husband had collected the watches, some of which were limited edition, since the age of 16.

Mrs Vincent had returned home to find the rear patio doors had been forced and bedrooms ransacked.

The other burglaries or attempted burglaries committed over seven weeks in 2013 were in Downs View Road, Heathfield Road, Adisham Drive, Sheppey Road, all Maidstone, Orchard Avenue, Aylesford, Roseacre Lane, Bearsted, Hatmill Lane, Brenchley, Crow Hill Road, Borough Green, Wheatfield Way, Cranbrook, and Queen’s Road, Hawkhurst.

Mr Wright said Gillingham and Chamberlain were arrested on November 13 and bailed, but continued the conspiracy with another burglary.

Gillingham, a plant operator who has a young child, admitted committing nine burglaries and Chamberlain admitted four burglaries and one attempted burglary.

Gillingham’s beany hat was recovered from a barbed wire fence after an attempted break-in in Sheppey Road, Maidstone.

Passing sentence, Judge Philip St John-Stevens said: “You must understand people who burgle homes leave victims insecure.

“They not only lose property, they lose memories in sentimental property stolen, and it undermines their confidence. That is the seriousness of burgling homes.”

Gillingham was jailed for four-and-a-half years for the conspiracy offence and six months consecutive for being in breach of a suspended sentence.