Two dozy crooks were collared by police after they used a debit card stolen during a burglary to buy food at a high street takeaway.

Timothy Smith, 27 and of Westree Court in Maidstone was handed a prison sentence of just under three years after admitting breaking into a flat in Douglas Road in April, stealing and selling on his ill-gotten gains.

His accomplice, 38-year-old Joanne James of the same address, also admitted handling stolen goods for which she was handed a two-year conditional discharge.

Smith broke into the ground floor flat where he stole various items including an Ipad Mini, Xbox One, Xbox games, alcohol, and a handbag along with a purse and cash.

Following the burglary, police officers investigating the circumstances behind the burglary discovered a debit card, stolen from one of the victims, was used in a pizza shop.

"This was a great bit of work from one of the local PSCOs who used their local knowledge to help get the ball rolling and ultimately helped to identify both Smith and James." - detective constable, William Lait of Kent Police

A PCSO visited the shop and viewed CCTV where they recognised James who was in the shop with another man. Further work was carried out which linked James to Smith and proved that Smith was in fact the man in the shop with James.

Smith and James were also found on CCTV in a second-hand electronic store where they were seen to sell some of the items stolen from the burglary.

Both Smith and James were arrested in April.

Investigating officer, detective constable, William Lait said: "This was an opportunist burglary through an insecure rear door which saw items of value stolen in order for Smith and James to make a small amount of cash, with no regard as to how they had made the victims feel.

"This was a great bit of work from one of the local PSCOs who used their local knowledge to help get the ball rolling and ultimately helped to identify both Smith and James. Anyone thinking of committing a similar crime must know we will not tolerate crime and will always thoroughly investigate to ensure justice is done."