A Mercedes a trio of burglars used to target houses around Kent will be sold to compensate their victims.

Gheorghe Ciobotaru, 42, was the third and final man of a gang who robbed jewellery from homes in Dartford, Sevenoaks and Bexley, to be jailed.

He was sentenced to five years and three months in prison after pleading guilty at Maidstone Crown Court on Friday.

His two accomplices, Gabriel Zaharia, 30 and Valentin Ciobotaru, 34, were both jailed in July for the same amount of time.

The three men, of no fixed address, travelled to Sevenoaks in a silver Mercedes to commit the crimes earlier this year.

On February 5 the trio forced a window open in Hillydeal Road, but left the home empty-handed.

On the same day they targeted two address in Shoreham Lane, Sevenoaks, and one in Leyton Cross Road, Dartford, as well as a fourth in Summerhouse Drive, Bexley.

After trashing the victim's homes they stole a quantity of jewellery.

But after detectives from the chief constable’s crime squad examined CCTV footage near the scenes they were able to identify the vehicle the offenders had used.

Their enquiries led them to arrest all three in the Mercedes as they travelled through Ilford, Greater London on February 9.

The investigation also proved that the suspects were responsible for two burglaries at Garden Way and Spring Grove, Loughton, Essex, earlier in the month.

Following the sentencing, the judge ordered that the car used by the criminals should be sold to compensate their victims.

Detective Constable Dan Bister said: "This criminal gang travelled between Kent and Essex leaving a trail of destruction as they forced their way into houses and searched for jewellery.

"They gave no thought for the impact their heartless actions would have on the victims, some of whom lost jewellery of significant sentimental value.

"This latest sentence ensures Kent and Essex remains a much safer place while these criminals are behind bars."