A seven-month burglary spree came to an abrupt end yesterday when the couple responsible were each jailed for six years.

The hard-hearted pair were said to be behind 179 burglaries across Kent, Essex and London.

Romanian nationals, Ovidiu-Constantin Plamada, 31, and Mariana Sandra, 43, were eventually stopped thanks to a multi-constabulary operation.

The couple were described as a modern-day Bonnie and Clyde by the sentencing judge at Basildon Crown Court in Essex.

Their seven-month stealing spree netted them possessions worth in excess of £400,000.

Police have since recovered a haul of stolen goods and returned them to the victims. Among some of the more bizarre items taken were tinned fish and a dressing gown.