A COUPLE whose behaviour one night before Christmas was described as "wicked and utterly selfish" are both now in custody for 14 months.

Samantha Chandler, 30, and James Sharpe, 19, both from Ramsgate, had both been drinking and taking drugs the night they both burgled a family home in Margate, stealing various valuable Christmas presents then taking a car parked outside and getting involved in a high-speed chase with police.

The Renault Megane driven by Sharpe reached 80mph as it sped through Margate and Ramsgate. The couple ran off after colliding with parked vehicles.

Both appeared for sentence at Canterbury Crown Court on Monday and were told by Judge Timothy Nash that what they did last December was: "Wicked and utterly selfish.

"I have not the slightest doubt drink and drugs played a substantial part."

Sharpe, of Granville Marina, admitted aggravated vehicle taking, burglary and driving without a licence and no insurance. He will serve his sentence at a young offenders institution and was banned for 12 months.

Chandler, of Loughborough Court, Sussex Street, admitted theft of a handbag and burglary.

At a previous hearing, James Ross, prosecuting, said the accused were together at the Jazz Rooms in Ramsgate where they stole a handbag from Rebecca Damen.

They went to her home at St Peter’s Footpath, Margate, where, while her father and sister were in bed asleep, broke in and stole Christmas presents from around the tree.

The gifts included a £900 watch, and a £500 handbag, neither of which were recovered. They also took a £150 mobile phone and total value of the stolen presents was £2,000.