TWO burglars who stole valuable antique clocks have been jailed for a total of six years.

Bradley Coombes, 33, and Kevin McNeill, 46, targeted Carter Marsh & Co, in The Square, Winchester, in a 1am raid, taking three clocks and a barometer, Winchester Crown Court heard.

One of the clocks dated from 1690-1700 and was valued at £38,000, said Colin Meeke, prosecuting.

The burglars were detained on the premises but two of the pieces were seriously damaged.

The police had been alerted when the alarm sounded and Coombes was arrested in the yard outside the shop. McNeill was arrested on the roof, the court was told.

Mr Meeke said: “They are prolific thieves and drug addicts. They are not professional commercial burglars.”

The court heard that neither man knew the real value of the items.

Judge Keith Cutler, Recorder of Winchester, jailed Coombes for three years for the burglary plus three months for assaulting the arresting police officer. McNeill, of Alresford Road, Winchester, received three years.

The judge said: “Shop owners in this city look to the courts for protection. Your actions caused enormous damage to the clocks, the barometer and the building itself.”

The bracket clock suffered damage that will cost £15,000 to repair. Even restored its initial value of £38,000 will be halved, said Mr Meeke.

The other damaged piece was a barometer made by Russell of Falkirk and also valued at £38,000. There are only 12 known to be in existence and three are in the Royal Collection.

Carter Marsh & Co was asked to comment but did not respond.

Coombes, of no fixed abode, but previously of Spitfire End, Winnall, also admitted wounding with intent. The court heard he had slashed Alisdair Pugi with a knife in Cathedral Close. Mr Pugi had drunkenly challenged Coombes. The judge jailed him for a further four years.