Two men who stole 13 classic Mini cars and sold them for parts have been jailed.

Stephen Fiddimore, 36, of Shearwater, Longfield, ran an eBay business alongside 28-year-old Sam Metten, of Polsteads, Basildon in Essex, dealing in the classic motors and other vehicle parts.

The pair operated from a lock-up garage in Horton Kirby until a Metropolitan Police investigation led to their arrest.

Officers carried out searches at the garage in Lombard Street, as well as others in Cross Lane West, Gravesend, Carrington Road, Dartford, and Crayford Way, Crayford, on April 28 last year.

They also seized two stolen vehicles from Fiddimore and Metten's homes. They believe the men may have been involved in the theft of more than 40 vehicles in the south east between August 2014 and May 2015.

Fiddimore and Metten used their specialist knowledge to get into the vehicles and tamper with the immobilisers in order to drive them away.

Both appeared at Inner London Crown Court yesterday.

Fiddimore pleaded guilty to conspiracy to steal motor vehicles and was sentenced to three-and-a-half years in jail.

Metten was found guilty of the same charge after a week-long trial and jailed for three years.

Detective Inspector Caroline Clooney, of the Met's Organised Vehicle Crime Unit, said: "These men systematically targeted the owners of classic Minis across the south east.

"Many of the vehicles had been lovingly restored and were the owners’ pride and joy. Discovering that their cars had been stolen obviously caused them much distress and inconvenience.

"I am pleased with the sentences handed down and hope it sends out a message that the Met is serious about tackling car crime and will always seek to destroy the activities of individuals involved in it."