Two repeat burglars have been locked up after they broke into homes at night, stole car keys and drove away high value vehicles.

Rikki Webb, 20, and 19-year-old Ben Botley caused fear and anxiety in victims by carrying out the “creeper” burglaries, several in Rochester, while they were asleep.

“The seriousness of these offences is to be measured not just by the damage caused and the value of items taken but by the fact that each burglary involved a violation of people’s homes, a place where they are entitled to feel secure,” said a judge.

“The fact is such offences very often result in trauma to victims that extends for a very long time, as is well illustrated by these unfortunate victims and evidenced by statements.”

Webb, of Dryland Avenue, Orpington, admitted two burglaries and one car theft and Botley, of no fixed address, admitted four burglaries and two car thefts.

Both faced a minimum three-year sentence having committed previous burglaries.

Botley was sentenced to three-and-a-half years youth custody and Webb to two years and nine months.

Maidstone Crown Court heard Botley broke into a home in Tern Crescent, Rochester, in the early hours of June 6 this year, using a tool to force open the door. A £17,500 BMW was taken from outside.

He and Webb the same evening carried out a similar burglary at a house in Sharfleet Drive, Rochester, and stole a £37,000 Mercedes, and a home in Linwood Avenue, taking car keys but not the new vehicle on the drive.

Botley committed a further break-in at a house in Orpington on June 15 and stole a £29,000 Mercedes.

Prosecutor Daniel Benjamin read out statements from victims describing how they and their families had been affected both emotionally and financially.

Webb, who has a four-month-old child, had 22 previous convictions for 46 offences. Botley had 15 previous convictions for 45 offences. Both involved several burglaries.

Passing sentence, Judge David Griffith-Jones QC said: “It is a sorry tale that has been recounted, a tale that involved you both to a greater or lesser extent in a spree of offending.

“The modus operandi was similar - committed at night and in each case the occupants were in residence, including children. The offences involved planning and targeting.”