A MAN has been jailed for five years for committing two burglaries in which he stole thousands of pounds worth of jewellery.

William Beattie, 57, of Maitland Place, London, broke into a property in Top Street, Stretham, between July 30 and August 1 last year.

He smashed a front window and let himself in through the front door before taking silver tableware from a dining room and a large amount of jewellery from a bedroom.

The haul included rings, necklaces, bracelets, earrings, watches, brooches, and gold chains and was worth more than �10,000.

Beattie fled with the items but subsequent searches discovered a piece of his belt close to the broken window from which a full DNA profile was recovered.

He was arrested by officers from Hertfordshire Constabulary on the M1 on August 17 before being handed over to Cambridgeshire officers.

Beattie pleaded not guilty to the burglary and to another burglary in Haywards Heath, West Sussex, where a handkerchief had been found bearing his DNA.

However, yesterday at Cambridge Crown Court he was found guilty on both counts and jailed.

DC Ashley Ryan, who investigated the Cambridgeshire crime, said: “Beattie is a prolific burglar and a habitual thief who has never shown any remorse. The burglary in Stretham left the victims very upset because some of the items were of great sentimental value.

“The sentence reflects the seriousness of the crime and the impact it had on the victims.”