TWO men with a long list of previous convictions have been jailed for burglary and aggravated vehicle taking.

Kawsor Ahmed, 26, was sentenced to four years and 24-year-old Justin Ashford to three-and-a-half years.

Ahmed, of Ocelot Court, Chatham, and Ashford, of Shipwrights Avenue, Chatham, were earlier cleared of robbing Dharampal Jangra of £70 at his newsagents in Holland Road, Chatham.

They had denied robbery but admitted burglary and aggravated vehicle taking. Ahmed also admitted another burglary and asked for two more to be considered. Both were banned from driving for two years.

Neville Willard, prosecuting, said the pair took a Ford Ka belonging to Theresa Nicholas from a car park in Chatham on February 16.

In the early hours of March 3, Brian Elliott, manager of Unwin’s off-licence in Meopham, was in his flat above the shop when he was awoken by a loud bang.

The alarm was going off and he could hear intruders in the shop. He saw a car parked outside. A neighbour noted down the registration number.

Ahmed and Ashford came out of the shop and drove off in the car. Mr Elliott found that the two men had broken in by smashing a glass panel with a bottle. Cigarettes worth £474 were taken.

Mr Willard said the car was next seen near Mr Jangra’s shop. Later that day, the car was involved in a serious accident while being driven by Ashford.

It was written off and the owners were without transport for six weeks.

Mrs Nicholas said in an impact statement: "This situation has left us feeling sad that people do not realise the effect these situations have on people’s lives."

Mr Willard said Ahmed also burgled the Huntsman pub in Rochester, smashing a window and causing £100 worth of damage. A fruit machine inside was smashed open and about £200 taken.

Blood left at the scene on November 24 last year led to Ahmed. He eventually admitted the offence, saying he went out stealing because he was not given any help to find employment.

Ahmed also burgled the Canterbury Tales pub in Gillingham on October 19 last year, stealing about £110, and Dixons in Chatham, on January 31, causing £150 of damage. Nothing was stolen.

Mr Willard said Ahmed burgled Unwin’s while on bail. He has a large number of convictions, several for burglary. Ashford has 27 convictions for 46 offences, some for burglary.

A jury was told how Ahmed and Ashford went to the newsagents after committing the off-licence burglary and offered to sell Mr Jangra the cigarettes they had stolen.

Mr Jangra claimed he was attacked by Ashford before the two men fled with cash from his till. But Ahmed and Ashford denied that they had robbed Mr Jangra.

Edward Connell, for Ahmed, said the father was finally reaching the stage where he realised he had to do something to address his offending behaviour.

He had cured himself of drug addiction but not addressed other matters. "He acted in a very stupid and immature way," he said.

Shauna Ritchie, for Ashford, said he had an unenviable history of offending that stemmed from drug abuse. He has a child, aged five, who suffers from cerebral palsy.

"He is now drug free and wishes to remain so," said Miss Ritchie. "He was at the time of the offences coming off heroin. He found himself addicted to methadone."

Judge Andrew Patience, QC, told Ahmed and Ashford: "It is quite clear from the considerable material I have read that when you each set your mind to it you can act constructively and give indications of being able to each achieve a great deal.

"The pity of it is that when you are free you have distressingly bad records. For these offences, each of you must be punished. A substantial custodial sentence is unavoidable."