A MAN has been jailed for more than three-and-a-half years after admitting his part in two burglaries.

Gavin Bird, 28, of St Giles Crescent, appeared at Mold Crown Court on Thursday.

He had previously pleaded guilty to the two burglaries - which took place at properties in The Oaks, Llangollen, on November 28 last year.

Ember-Jade Wong, prosecuting, told the court the first victim, James Collings, had left his house secure that morning.

But upon returning he found a gate to his back garden open and the back patio doors smashed.

He made his way inside to find an "untidy search" had been carried out and several items were clearly missing; including a TV, watch, laptop and other electricals.

Mr Collings later also reported golf clubs missing, as well as a pair of men's Prada shoes.

The second victim, Reza Nooree, was on holiday at the time of the burglary.

He found out when a friend who had been looking after the property called him the following day.

Upon returning home some days later, he found several items to be missing including a hoover, a watch belonging to his late father and a TV.

The day after the burglaries, police officers located a silver van which was seen on CCTV driving into The Oaks.

Inside they found a pair of brown men's Prada shoes and a TV, which were identified by the victims.

CCTV footage showed Bird acting as a "lookout and driver" while other males loaded items into the van.

In a victim statement, Mr Nooree said the incident had left him feeling "shocked and helpless" and that his partner was reluctant to spend time in the home on her own.

He also expressed sadness at not being able to see his father's watch again, describing it as having "great sentimental value."

Jemma Gordon, defending, told the court: "This defendant has been identified as the driver.

"He was waiting by the van and the other males went into the properties and took the items. "You may consider that to be a subordinate role in the group. "In my submission it wasn't a particularly sophisticated offence.

"He assures me he is now in a much better place regarding his personal circumstances.

"At the time of the offences he was out of work and associated with the wrong people. "He takes full responsibility and knows it is no excuse."

Judge Timothy Petts told Bird: "The gang smashed its way through two patio doors, stealing high value items.

"You were the driver and lookout and so played an important role in my view."

The judge told Bird his offences were aggravated by the fact he had at the time been subject to an ongoing suspended 12-month sentence and he has previous convictions including for residential burglaries.

He jailed Bird for two years and eight months, but also activated the suspended sentence and ordered him to serve it consecutively - adding a year to the overall sentence.