A Leatherhead burglar has been sentenced to two years and 10 months’ imprisonment at Guildford Crown Court today after a tip off from a member of the public.

Joseph Brazil, 23, of Deans Walk, and a man from Hanworth called Shane Warburton were handed down a combined sentence of over five years in prison.

Detective Constable Robert Garrett said: “This is the result of a member of the public promptly reporting suspicious behaviour and the fast response by police officers in the area.

“Police chased and quickly apprehended one as he fled the scene whilst the other was found within minutes hiding in a wheelie bin nearby and detained.

Brazil was put behind bars for two counts of burglary, one of common assault, one count of criminal damage and one count of breach of suspended sentence.

Warburton, 24, was sentenced to three years imprisonment for two counts of burglary.

The offences took place in Leatherhead and Epsom in the early hours of November 3 and the pair were arrested as they tried to make their escape from the scene of the second offence in Epsom.

Detective Constable Robert Garrett added: “We are committed to relentlessly pursuing and bringing those who burgle people’s homes to justice.

“We ask the public to assist us in this by reporting any suspicious activity they may see."