TWO housebreakers caught making off with the loot in a stolen car have been jailed for a total of five years.

Serial home burglar, Aidan Dyer, 22, of Methuen Oval, Wyke, Bradford, was locked up for three and a half years as a "three striker".

John Holdsworth, 23, of Walker Terrace, West Bowling, Bradford, was imprisoned for 18 months.

Both pleaded guilty to raiding £2,500 of items from a family home in New Hey Road, Wyke, on January 27.

The men also admitted aggravated vehicle-taking, Holdsworth by driving a Peugeot stolen in a sneak-in burglary a few days earlier, and Dyer by allowing himself to be carried in it.

Prosecutor Martin Robertshaw said Dyer was a "three strike" burglar as this was his third conviction for stealing from people's homes.

He was also in breach of a community order and a suspended sentence for theft.

Holdsworth had no previous convictions for burglary but he had a criminal record for robbery, theft and handling stolen goods.

The court heard that the burglars smashed a window in the back door to gain entry into the house, making off with a camera, computer, purse and electrical goods.

Stolen items were found in the Peugeot used to carry off the haul, but property valued at £1,450 was not recovered.

Both defendants were arrested after Holdsworth crashed the car, Mr Robertshaw said.

Neither made any comment when questioned by the police.

The court heard that the Peugeot was stolen from a householder's drive after the keys were taken from the property.

Gerald Hendron, Holdsworth's barrister, said he had pleaded guilty to the offences.

He was in a stable relationship and had the offer of a job in a joinery business.

Camille Morland, for Dyer, said he had been employed in a department store and had been struggling to rid himself of problems with Class A drugs.

For both men, it was stated that the house was unoccupied and burgled in the day time.

Judge David Hatton QC said that offenders who targeted people's homes must expect to go to prison.

He banned both men from driving.