Neighbours to receive commendations after helping to foil burglars

The break-in at a house in Queens Close, Harbury, in September 2011, had been carried out by Odell Christian and get-away driver Wesley Williams.

At Warwick Crown Court, prosecutor Andrew Molloy said that Harbury resident Lesley Barnes became aware of activity in her neighbour’s back garden where she saw a man who should not have been there.

Shortly afterwards she saw the man inside the house and then leaving, so called the police.

Christian, who had taken a safe containing £25,000 worth of jewellery, got back into the BMW which was driven off at speed by Williams.

The police were given the make, colour and number of the getaway car by another neighbour, Gerald Cadogan - and a short time later it was stopped by other officers.

Although Christian pleaded guilty to the burglary, Williams denied being involved - but was convicted following a trial at Warwick Crown Court.

And following an adjournment for pre-sentence reports to be prepared, Williams, aged 26, of Stubbs Road, Leicester, was jailed for 21 months.

Christian, aged 35, of Munnings Close, Leicester, was jailed for 15 months after Judge Robert Orme explained he was being given credit for his plea.

Mr Molloy asked that Mrs Barnes and Mr Cadogan be commended for their actions. Judge Orme agreed, and said he would retain the case papers so he could produce commendation orders.