Two burglars who committed a spate of break-ins across Leighton in March were sentenced at Luton Crown Court on Friday following an extensive police investigation backed by advanced forensic work.

Dean McAdam, 24, formerly of Spencer Court, Leighton Buzzard, pleaded guilty to three counts of burglary and asked for three others to be taken into consideration. He was jailed for 18 months.

He appeared with 17-year-old Josh Pitt, also from Leighton, who admitted six counts of burglary and asked for four similar offences to be taken into consideration. He was sentenced to 20 months' detention with a training order.

The court heard that among McAdam's offences were three burglaries in three days in Windsor Avenue, Bideford Green and King Street where doors or windows were forced and electrical items such as televisions and computer games stolen.

Pitt was responsible for offences including one in Heath Park Road where a couple in their 80s woke to find a torch being shone in their faces.

He made off with a television and keys.

The two were finally caught following a detailed investigation by the Dunstable-based priority crime investigation team and advanced forensic techniques which matched their footwear to footprints at the scene.

The sentencing comes as police push ahead with their winter burglary campaign, called Safer Homes, which aims to catch offenders and spread crime prevention messages.

Anyone with information about burglary can contact PCIT, in confidence, on 01582 473054. The main switchboard on 01234 841212, Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555111 or text to 07786 200011.