A GANG who travelled to East Lancashire from Manchester to burgle homes owned by wealthy Asian residents have been jailed for a total of eight years.

Preston Crown Court heard the gang broke into homes in Blackburn and Burnley while the occupiers were out and stole thousands of pounds of Asian jewellery, rings, electronic devices and costume jewellery.

In one case they even unwrapped Christmas presents from under the tree, before stealing two wedding rings.

The court heard how Michael James Fitzgerald, 32, of Thurlby Avenue, Manchester, drove his three co-defendants Michael Stevens, David Cull and Ehsan Khan to Nelson in a white Ford Fiesta on December 20, 2015.

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The vehicle was spotted by an eyewitness driving slowly up and down Swaine Street and two men were later spotted acting suspiciously, the court heard.

Two hours later at 8pm a man reported to police his house in Gordon Street, Burnley, had been ransacked and burgled. The victim reported cash, Asian jewellery, a handbag and mobile phone had been taken.

The court heard on the same night thieves ransacked a house in Aspinall Street, Burnley, belonging to Ian Moor – the only non-Asian house targeted. While there the thieves unwrapped Christmas presents and stole two wedding rings.

The court was told how the thieves also burgled a house in Bramble Place, Burnley, stealing a large amount of jewellery and mobile phones.

The gang then moved onto Blackburn and burgled a house in Balaclava Street and stole an iPad, laptops and documents. The court heard the thieves also scratched a TV with a screwdriver, causing £1,100 of damage.

Prosecutor Srash Gruffydd said: “These were properties which were targeted because they believed there would be a large amount of Asian jewellery and gold in them.”

The court heard how police had been searching for the car after the earlier report of it being driven suspiciously in Nelson. It was spotted by officers in Barbra Castle Way, Blackburn.

The court was told Khan, 18, of Wheler Street, Manchester, and Cull, of Foleshill Avenue, Manchester, gave false details but were identified by fingerprints.

Police found rucksacks containing the stolen items and most of the property was returned to the victims. They also found gloves, balaclavas and screwdrivers. Cull and Khan’s footprints were also found at the crime scenes. All four men admitted conspiracy to commit burglary.

Judge James Adkin jailed Khan to 20 months, Fitzgerald for 40 months and Cull for three years.

A bench warrant had previously been issued for Stevens, 28, of Brentford Street, Manchester, who failed to appear at court.