A FARNHAM burglar who, with his regular partner in crime, stole a car after creeping into a house and pinching the keys as the residents slept upstairs was jailed last Friday for two years and five months. When they targeted the home in Leather Lane, Gomshall, near Guildford, Richard Parsons, 21, and Eli Matthews, 20, had only been freed from prison five months previously for an identical burglary in which they took two vehicles, In the latest raid, the terrified owners were woken when they heard the thieves downstairs - and when they later looked outside they were shocked to find their car had vanished. But the couple recognised the sound of the vehicle as the burglars sped off and quickly called the police - who later found the car abandoned and Parsons and Matthews hiding nearby. Parsons, of Ryle Road, Farnham, and Matthews, of Tower Hill, Gomshall, were each given identical sentences of two years and five months at Guildford Crown Court after both pleaded guilty to burglary and taking a vehicle without consent. Jill Beale, prosecuting, said that the victims were woken at 4.50am on July 18 this year by a noise downstairs. When they looked outside they saw that the security sensor lights were on and their MG that was previously parked in front of the house had disappeared. They recognised the sound of the car - which they had bought for £5,000 - as it reversed away from the house and they immediately called the police. Mrs Beale said: "The car was discovered parked up. The two defendants had got out and were hiding around the back of some flats. They were arrested at the scene." The court heard that the pair were on licence for an identical late-night burglary they had carried out together on March 13 last year stealing a Volkswagen Golf and a Honda. They were both sentenced to 16 months behind bars - but five months after their release they struck again. David Castle, defending. said that they had not planned to go out and steal a car but it was an opportunistic offence. He said: "They are close friends, they spend a great deal of time together. They had been out drinking and unfortunately it was something that seemed like a good idea at the time." Recorder Paul Clements told them: "You need to take this time to reflect in prison, come out and get yourselves straight because you can still do that as you are young enough. "But if you come out and offend again, as no doubt this time you will realise, there will be no hope for you. "Frankly it is a matter for the two of you whether you take this opportunity or not."
