Two members of a gang who smashed through the wall of a computer shop in Ashford using sledgehammers have been jailed.

Ion Mihai, 26, and Vervelis Stanci, 22, were among a group of up to six men who broke into Curry's PC World on December 12 last year.

The group smashed through the wall of the Gallagher Way store with sledgehammers, sounding the burglar alarm and leaving bricks and insulation scattered at the scene.

Police attended after the alarms were activated, and interrupted the break-in, before recovering up to 40 laptops that the gang were attempting to steal.

The haul could have been worth an estimated £16,000.

Officers later stopped two cars that had been seen leaving the scene, and arrested Stanci and Mihai on suspicion of burglary.

The two men, both of no fixed abode, admitted burglary during sentencing at Canterbury Crown Court.

Mihai was jailed for two years and seven months, and Stanci was given a two-year and four-month sentence.

Investigating officer, Det Con Andrew Palmer, said: "The quick actions of our officers prevented the loss of a large amount of expensive equipment and resulted in the valuable evidence which secured these jail terms.

"These men caused thousands of pounds worth of damage and were looking to steal a significant number of laptops.

"Neither has shown any particular remorse for what they have done and I am pleased they are both behind bars and unable to trouble any other Kent businesses."

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