PROPERTY worth £130,000 was stolen from one of the homes targeted by a Hampshire couple who embarked on a five-month burglary spree.

Daniel Jones and girlfriend Jenna Goode stole cash, jewellery and family heirlooms from properties across the county - many of which were ransacked.

One of the distraught victims told police: “My house was trashed by the burglars.”

Another theft was discovered by a 14-year-old girl who came home from school to find a sea of glass on the floor.

Hampshire Chronicle:

Jones and Goode have both been jailed at Southampton Crown Court for what the judge described as a crime “campaign” which involved a “significant” degree of planning and organisation.

On at least one occasion, the court heard, Goode sent Jones a text message saying: “I’ve got bills to pay. Can we go to work today?”

Travelling in a van fitted with false registration plates, Jones broke into houses while Goode acted as a look-out.

Families living in Romsey, Chandler’s Ford and Winchester were among those who fell victim to the two-person crimewave. The defendants also drove to other parts of Hampshire including Andover and Fair Oak.

Adam Norris, prosecuting, said the series of break-ins started on June 8 2017.

Later that month watches, bracelets and necklaces worth a total of £130,000 were stolen from a house in Whitchurch. The owner returned home to find rooms had been ransacked, creating a scene of “absolute mayhem”.

Jones and Goode were arrested on November 16 2017, when Goode was found to be wearing a £2,400 ring stolen in one of the burglaries.

Referring to a series of victim impact statements given to police, Mr Norris said householders were left feeling “violated” by the break-ins.

One woman told officers: “I searched for my grandmother’s engagement ring but it had been taken. It was the only keepsake I had of her.”

Hampshire Chronicle:

Jones, 34, of Pawley Close in Tongham, Surrey, admitted nine burglaries, one attempted burglary, four counts of handling stolen goods and one of money laundering. He also asked for four other offences to be taken into consideration.

Goode, 33, of Cresswood View in Boyatt Wood, admitted five burglaries, six counts of handling stolen goods and one of money laundering.

Unyime Davies, mitigating for Goode, said the defendant was of previous good character and only turned to crime after starting a relationship with Jones, whom she described as controlling and coercive.

She added: “She did not enter any of the properties. Her role was, at most, a look-out.”

Edward Elton, mitigating for Jones, added: “My client is genuinely sorry for his behaviour. He knows he has a debt to pay to society but does not accept his co-defendant’s basis of plea. They were partners in almost every sense.”

Judge Nicholas Rowland said the defendants worked as a team.

Jones was jailed for a total of five-and-a-half years while Goode was handed a two-and-a-half-year sentence.