A BURGLAR who broke into a string of homes in Bury and Bolton and stole high value cars as the owners slept has been jailed.

Brandon Booth, aged 21, was sent to prison for his role in a spree committed over a 40-day period between July and September that netted a haul worth a combined £400,000.

He was imprisoned for three years at Minshull Street Crown Court after admitting four counts of burglary and one of taking of a motor vehicle.

Booth's co-accused Lewis Georgiou, aged 21, and Liam Ford, aged 20, had already been jailed for two-and-a-half and three years respectively.

Detective Sergeant Stuart Barker, from GMP’s Bury borough, said: "At GMP we take all reports of burglary extremely seriously and we understand just how distressing it can be for victims.

“It is an intrusion into your personal life and home is where you should feel safe.

"Burglars such as Booth, Ford and Georgiou can make innocent people feel vulnerable and anxious, whilst taking prized possessions some of which may be irreplaceable.

“The sentences handed to the three proves just how committed we are to tackling these types of offences and I would like to thank the officers who worked tirelessly to follow enquiries and track the culprits down.

“GMP is dedicated to not only finding those responsible for these crimes but also helping to prevent them from taking place.

“Our Darker Nights campaign means officers carry out extra foot patrols in the area whilst we also aim to remind people of a few small tips which can deter thieves.

“This includes making sure all windows and doors are locked, setting a light timer to make it look like someone is in, as well as keeping any tempting valuables out of sight.”

Booth admitted a burglary on July 12 at a house in Plumpton Drive, Bury, in which he took car keys but denied stealing the Range Rover Evoque from outside.

The 21-year-old also admitted a burglary at a property in Grantham Drive, Bury, on September 10 in which a pedal cycle and a set of car keys were taken.

Booth admitted taking a Toyota Aygo from outside a house in Station Road, Greenmount, on September 19.

He admitted a burglary on September 21 at a house in Bradley Fold Road, Ainsworth, from which a mountain bike and two sets of car keys for a Volkswagen Scirocco were taken. Booth denied taking the car.

He also admitted a burglary carried out the following day at a home in Hayward Avenue, Little Lever, in which sets of keys for two vehicles – Toyota Landcruiser and a Peugeot 1007 – disappeared alongside an iPhone 6 and an iPad. He denied stealing the cars.

Booth had another 19 burglaries taken into consideration at sentencing.