Six prolific burglars who carried out a spate of thefts and violent offences have been jailed.

Paul Bristow, William Adams, Rhys Smith, Jamie Knight, John Adams and Paul Cash have been sentenced to a combined total of 36 years and seven months’ imprisonment.

More than £300,000 worth of vehicles and golf equipment were stolen across Kent between March 20 and April 15 last year.

During the month-long crime spree, nine high-end cars, two quad bikes and a tipper truck were taken, as well as jewellery, cash, a purse, numerous registration plates, and sets of car keys.

The men stole:

- A Mini Clubman and a quad bike from the garage of a property in Ashford.

- Golf equipment valued at £4,796 from the garage of a home in Five Oak Green.

- A Ford tipper truck from Ramsgate.

- A Volkswagen Passat, nearly £2,000 of jewellery and £80 in cash from an address in Teston.

- A Land Rover Defender from a driveway in Flimwell.

- A quad bike from an outbuilding in Hawkhurst.

- A Volvo estate car from an address in Rainham.

- A purse from a home in Matfield.

- A BMW M4 and a Land Rover Discovery Sport from a driveway in Staplehurst.

- A BMW 2 Series from a driveway in Matfield.

The gang attempted several other burglaries in Herne Bay, Wateringbury, Brenchley, Borden and Whitstable, but were disturbed by the homeowners, causing them to flee.

During a burglary from a home in New Romney, they assaulted the victim with a pool cue and broke his shoulder, before stealing a Mercedes C43.

Later that day, they attempted a car-jacking in Goudhurst, forcing a driver to stop before approaching him with weapons.

In another failed break-in near Lamberhurst, a victim tried to stop the offenders leaving by blocking them in with a car.

They smashed the victim’s windscreen and driver’s side window, injuring him in the process.

On April 15 last year, police stopped two vehicles in Walderslade, one of which had a false registration plate, and five men were arrested.

Subsequent searches led to the seizure of a drill, a screwdriver, crowbars, balaclavas, a car registration plate, and car keys. A sixth man was arrested on May 21.

All suspects were charged with conspiracy to steal, conspiracy to burgle, attempted robbery, robbery and criminal damage.

Following a trial, they were all convicted of conspiracy to steal and conspiracy to burgle.

Bristow was also found guilty of robbery and criminal damage, while William Adams and Smith were further convicted of robbery and attempted robbery.

The gang was sentenced at Southwark Crown Court on Friday last week (October 24):

Bristow, 34, of Chilmington Green, Ashford, was sentenced to nine years and two months’ imprisonment.

William Adams, 26, of Elm Grove, Sittingbourne, was sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment.

Smith, 31, of Meehan Road, Greatstone, was sentenced to seven years and five months’ imprisonment.

Knight, 24, of South Park Road, Maidstone, and John Adams, 32, of Common Road, Sissinghurst, were sentenced to four years’ imprisonment;

Cash, 21, of Pye Corner, Ulcombe, was sentenced to three years’ imprisonment.

Investigating officer, DC Lottie Bishop, said: “These prolific burglars carried out a spate of thefts and violent offences without care for anything other than selfishly lining their own pockets.

“They paid no mind to the lasting impact on their victims, many of whom were left feeling vulnerable after their homes and safe spaces were violated by the intruders.

“I am pleased with the hefty custodial sentences handed to the primary offenders and hope that it serves as reassurance to the public that they will be unable to cause harm.”