Burglars jailed after breaking into Grimsby family's home while they were asleep

TWO burglars who smashed their way in to a family's home while the occupants were asleep have been jailed.

They raided the property and made off with £400 cash, a widescreen television, games consoles and games, a court heard.

Anthony Wiltshire, 21, of Scott Close, Grimsby, and Andrew Skinner, 21, of Gertrude Street, Grimsby, both admitted burglary.

Wiltshire also admitted being involved in a spate of burglaries on commercial properties in Scarborough after a night out.

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Craig Lowe, prosecuting, told Grimsby Crown Court that the pair burgled a house in Antrim Way, Grimsby, on June 11.

"The family went upstairs to bed at around 10.30pm with the doors all locked and secured," said Mr Lowe.

"The next morning, one of the daughters was the first to go downstairs and noticed that items had been taken."

The pair were arrested at 3.20am. Wiltshire was found with a number of the stolen items in a satchel.

Wiltshire, along with Tyler Clayton, from Scunthorpe, also targeted three Scarborough premises after a night out on September 12.

The pair broke into a Sainsbury's petrol station before making off with £166 and causing damage estimated at £590.

Two hours later, they used a house brick to force entry at a Spar shop and made off with a quantity of tobacco.

At 3am, the men were seen trying to force entry into the Ancient Warrior pub but were spotted by CCTV cameras and arrested nearby.

"The pair had spent up following their night out and wanted a way of getting hold of money quickly to get home," said Mr Lowe.

Wiltshire also asked for seven other burglaries, between September 10 and 11, to be taken in to consideration.

Recorder Tahir Khan QC said: "The family must have been deeply distressed by having their home burgled in the middle of the night while they slept in their beds."

Wiltshire was jailed for 22 months, including 18 months for the burglary in Antrim Way and four months consecutive for the burglaries and attempted burglary in Scarborough. Skinner was jailed for 18 months.