TWO burglars who raided a Bembridge home and stole up to £4,000 worth of jewellery, including family wedding rings, have been jailed.

Cameron Chivers, 21, of Spalding Road, Southampton, and Scott Smith, 20, of Linnet Court, New Milton, admitted one count of burglary when they appeared at the Isle of Wight Crown Court on Friday (February 15).

Adam Norris, prosecuting, said Chivers and Smith broke into the Foreland Road home last August. They were captured on CCTV circling the house, seemingly looking for a way in.

Once they had broken in, after smashing a pane of glass in a door, and reaching in to unlock the bolt, the court heard they searched the house and raided an upstairs bedroom.

They triggered a burglar alarm, which prompted a neighbour to call the police. The burglars fled the scene.

Mr Norris said their car was spotted as they drove from Bembridge to Ventnor, and traced to a Ventnor flat.

When the police arrived, Chivers and Smith were leaving the property. They tried to run away, but were caught and arrested.

Items stolen during the burglary were found at the flat but others, including wedding rings belonging to the homeowner's mother and grandmother, were not recovered.

For Chivers, Tom Evans said the defendant was remorseful and wanted to write a letter of apology to the victims.

Mr Evans said there was a plan in place to help Chivers following his release from prison, to move in with his aunt and find work.

For Smith, Jim Osborne said the defendant had stayed out of trouble since 2014 until the burglary — demonstrating he could integrate into society when his life was stable.

Mr Osborne said Smith planned to move in with his mother and stepfather, find a job and stop associating with friends who led him into trouble.

Judge Roger Hetherington sentenced Chivers to 18 months in prison.

Smith, who was also sentenced for a separate burglary in Southampton, was jailed for two years.