DRUG addict brothers who embarked on a prolific burglary spree, committing 17 crimes in just 34 days, have been jailed for more than seven years.

Shannon and Shane Perry were jailed for four years and three and a half years respectively after admitting a slew of burglary and theft offences.

One victim, who was pregnant when she was burgled, has been left too scared to leave the house following the break-in.

The pair would sneak into homes and steal car keys, laptops, handbags and wallets, often whilst families with young children or an elderly relative slept.

The brothers, aged 30 and 31, would then get away with cars parked nearby, some of which were insurance write-offs when recovered.

Stephen Willmer, prosecuting, said the cars stolen included a Mini Cooper worth around £6,000, an Audi worth £7,765, a BMW and a Ford Focus.

In a letter to the court, victim Shahida Ahmed said: "Prior to this burglary I was a happy go lucky person. Now stepping out my front door makes me think twice.

"I was pregnant with my third child at the time.

"The worst thing was we were all in bed when it happened, me, my husband and our two boys."

Rónán MacCann, defending Shannon, said the 30-year-old was a heroin addict but had taken steps to turn his life round attending voluntary rehabilitation sessions in prison.

Sophia Wood, defending Shane, said he had also struggled with addiction and the two had embarked on the crime spree as thy failed to cope with anniversary of their mother's death.

Judge Angela Morris said the duo had collected more than 60 previous convictions for 120 offences between them when sentencing them at Reading Crown Court on Thursday, January 14. 

She said: "The effect your crimes have on the victims when they realise an intruder has been in their house in the dead of night when they are at their most vulnerable has left them anxious.

"You both have been afflicted by drug addiction at the relevant time."

Shane, 31, formerly of Ladybank, Bracknell admitted three burglaries and two thefts between September 15 and October 6 last year.

His brother, 30, formally of Maidenhead, admitted five counts of burglary, five counts of theft, one charge of attempted burglary and one of handling stolen goods.

All his offences took place between September 30 and November 19 last year.