A PAIR of cat-burglars from Farncombe were jailed for a total of five years and three months last week after pleading guilty to a string of break-ins across Waverley. The thieves, who worked by night and targeted schools and commercial premises across the borough, appeared at Guildford Crown Court on Monday. They were put behind bars after admitting to several burglaries, predominantly in Godalming and Haslemere, but also in Bramley, Farncombe, Hurtmore, Peters- field, Rowledge and Shackleford, over a period of four months. In May, they were jointly responsible for entering The Baker's Oven, in Haslemere High Street, making off with the safe and its contents. Among a string of school break-ins, the pair entered Frensham Heights school, Long Road, Rowledge in May, and stole a safe. Landscape gardener James Stuart Clark, 23, of Farncombe Street, Farncombe, was sentenced to three years and three months in custody. Eighteen-year-old David Alwyn Cheeseman, unemployed, of Marshall Road, Farncombe, was imprisoned for two years. Clark pleaded guilty to 10 burglaries, one charge of handling stolen goods and one breach of his Anti-Social Behaviour Order. He also asked for a further 31 burglaries to be taken into consideration. Cheeseman pleaded guilty to 11 burglaries and asked for another 25 burglaries to be taken into consideration. Many of these burglaries were committed by the two together. Cheeseman was also served with a post- conviction Anti-Social Behaviour Order with conditions of non-association with Clark, a night-time curfew and a ban on entering educational establishments except with permission, which will run after his release from prison. Officers arrested the two men after they identified a series of non-dwelling burglaries where safes were stolen between February and June this year. An intelligence-led operation was set up, involving dozens of police officers including members of response, proactive and neighbourhood teams, which led to evidence pointing to Clark and Cheeseman. The burglars were identified as the key players and as a result several search warrants were executed by officers early on June 2. Stolen property from the burglaries was found at the offender's addresses, and officers seized clothing believed to have been worn during the offences, as well as mobile phones containing photos of the stolen safes on them. A search of Cheeseman's car also revealed, hidden under the bonnet by the engine, a bag containing a jemmy, face coverings, gloves and torches. Almost £5,000 was also seized from one of the addresses. Clark and Cheeseman were both arrested on June 2 and taken to Guildford Police Station for questioning, where they were later charged with the offences and remanded in custody. The senior investigating officer in the case, Detective Inspector Paul Rymarz, said: "The actions of the ringleaders, Clark and Cheeseman, had a significant impact on the local community with the effect that schools and small businesses were suffering as a result. "The successful conviction of these two men demonstrates the work that Surrey Police does specifically to target burglars and handlers of stolen goods. "The investigation was lengthy and challenging due to the crimes happening overnight and the difficulty in catching the offenders. However, the determination and persistence of the team involved meant that the operation was a success." He went on to say that the level of non- dwelling burglaries had dropped significantly since the pair's arrest, and that it should provide reassurance to retailers and schools in Waverley. Clark was served with his two-year ASBO in March, banning him from entering any school premises in the country. This followed his conviction for six burglary and handling offences at shops and schools in Chertsey, Farnham, Haslemere, Merrow and Witley. The ASBO expires in March 2008 and requires Clark to obtain the prior written permission of the headteacher before entering any school in England or Wales.