Former couple stole from three Edenbridge homes in broad daylight during burglary spree

A burgling couple who stole sentimental items from three homes in broad daylight have been sentenced, with one being sent to prison.

Chelsea O'Neill and Stevie White used a rented red Vauxhall Corsa with a black roof to drive to three homes in the Edenbridge area and target their victims.

The properties were all empty, and entry was gained by smashing the back doors or forcing the windows open.

Each of the homes was ransacked, and jewellery, watches, commemorative coins, sunglasses and bank cards were stolen.

The burglaries were committed the same day, with a fourth home in Harts Lane in Godstone, Surrey, also burgled around the same time.

CCTV obtained by officers showed White lingering outside two of the properties and police also discovered the distinctive Corsa was near the properties at the time of the burglaries, which some of the witnesses recalled seeing.

Cell site data was also able to place them both at the scene of each of the break-ins on June 12 last year.

The following day, the Corsa was stopped by officers in Dartford with both O'Neill and White in the car and both were then arrested.

A search of O'Neill's property also found further items that had been reported stolen.

White, 42, of Sebastian Close in Colchester and O'Neill, 42, of Bushell Way in Chislehurst, were both charged with four counts of burglary.

They pleaded guilty at Maidstone Crown Court, and on Tuesday, February 10, White was sentenced to five years and seven months in prison, which also includes separate offences he committed in Essex.

Meanwhile, O'Neill was jailed for a year, but the term suspended for 18 months on Thursday, February 5.

PC Holly Turner said: “White and O'Neill, who were in a relationship at the time, deliberately travelled into Kent and Surrey to target multiple houses one after the other.

“Despite being persistent in their offending, they clearly hadn't planned how they would get away undetected.

“These burglaries were distressing to each of the victims, who not only had sentimental items stolen from them, but were also left feeling scared and vulnerable in their own homes.

“I'm glad we were able to recover some of their items and I hope they feel some reassurance.”