Two prolific burglars have been jailed for a total of seven years after admitting a string of break-ins across Medway.

Michael Benn Williams, 32, of Meadow Bank Road, Chatham, was jailed for three years at Maidstone Crown Court, for a several burglaries in the Wainscott area earlier this year.

Williams was sentenced on Friday, October 9, after earlier pleading guilty to burglary.

A further six offences were also taken into consideration.

After sentencing, Det Con Chris Weatherstone, said: “We are pleased with the sentence passed to Williams by the judge.

“Fortunately the number of burglaries in Medway remains low and we have a great record in convicting the minority of individuals who carry them out.

“This sentence should act as a deterrent to would-be burglars in Medway, and demonstrate to the public that we take these offences extremely seriously.”

Also jailed for a string of offences was, Stephen Anthony Chapman, of Somerset Close, Chatham.

Chapman, 27, was jailed for four years for burglary, theft of a vehicle, and various driving offences.

He initially denied two burglaries, but later pleaded guilty to the offences.

He was jailed at the same court and on the same day as Williams.

He received three-and-a-half years in relation to the burglaries, which occurred in April last year in Rochester when he broke into a house in Jasper Avenue and stole car keys and drove off in the homeowner’s Mini.

In July the same year, he broke into a house on Prince Charles Avenue, Chatham, and stole a Ford Focus.

Both vehicles were later recovered.

Chapman was jailed for an additional six months for dangerous driving, driving without insurance and driving whilst disqualified, in relation to he Prince Charles Avenue burglary.

Detective Inspector Kevin Downard added: “Chapman has been a persistent offender and we are pleased the sentence reflects the severity of his crimes.

“Being the victim of crime is not a pleasant experience so we hope both of these sentences bring some comfort to those who were affected.

“Kent Police in Medway will continue to drive down the number of burglaries in the area, which is already at an all time low.

“Since April 2009 there has been a 30.8 per cent reduction in burglaries across Medway, which means there are on average less than two per day.”