A burglar from Ipswich who was involved in a string of break-ins at homes in Suffolk has been jailed for 32 months.

Ned Smith and a 17-year-old youth were linked to the burglaries at properties in the Sudbury area last September by their footwear, Ipswich Crown Court heard.

Jamie Sawyer prosecuting said the owner of one of the properties was at home during a nighttime burglary at his property and another home owner described his property as being “ransacked”.

Smith, 22of Inverness Road, Ipswich, and the teenager who cannot be named because of his age, admitted conspiracy to commit burglary. Smith was jailed for 32 months and the teenager, who also admitted driving without insurance and driving otherwise than in accordance with a driving licence, was given a 12-month youth rehabilitation order during which he will have to attend a Thinking Skills Programme.

Sentencing the pair, Judge John Devaux said the value of the property stolen during the break-ins was unknown.

The court heard the defendants were in a Peugeot stopped by police on September 23 last year. Officers saw people in the car change seats and when they approached the car, a woman was sitting in the driver’s seat, but the officers formed the view Smith had been driving the vehicle.

When the Peugeot was searched jewellery and other items linked to the burglaries were found in a storage pocket and in the back of the car.

Footwear belonging to Smith and the 17-year-old was linked to eight burglaries at properties in Alpheton, Clare Road, Long Melford, Bures Road, Great Cornard, Stanley Wood Avenue, Sudbury, Waldingfield Road, Sudbury and Lavenham Road, Great Waldingfield, said Mr Sawyer.