A burglar who stole a car and a designer handbag from a home has been jailed for two years.

Scott Walsh-Fleming, 35, of no fixed address, appeared in front of St Albans Crown Court on September 24 where he was found guilty of burglary.

Walsh-Fleming broke into a home in Oxhey Avenue on September 30 last year.

He stole the victim’s new Mazda car, as well as a designer handbag. The victim said that the handbag was of sentimental value to her, as it was a gift from her daughter, and that she suffered a loss of £1,500 when the car insurer paid out.

The vehicle was later recovered by Metropolitan police in Greenford on Tuesday 13 November. The registration plates had been altered using black tape.

PC Daniel Card, who investigated the case, said: "My team and I are delighted with the outcome of this sentencing. I hope that the result sends out a clear warning to anyone else who considers committing such crimes, that you will be robustly dealt with when we catch you and could face a prison sentence.

"Burglary is a serious violation of privacy and can have long-lasting, far-reaching effects. Walsh-Fleming’s despicable behaviour left his victims feeling unsettled and unsafe in their own homes.

"I hope he uses his prison term to seriously reflect on his actions and think about the impact he has had on the innocent people he stole from."

Walsh-Fleming already had 18 convictions for 42 offences.