Burglar who said he was the 'getaway driver' jailed

Jamie Saunders was jailed after a sentence hearing St Albans Crown Court

A man has been jailed for a burglary after he told police he was only meant to be the "getaway driver".

Hertfordshire Police said Jamie Saunders, 57, from Beckenham in London, pleaded guilty to the theft after £100,000 worth of sentimental jewellery and cash was stolen from a flat in Bushey, in June 2023.

At St Albans Crown Court he was sentenced to two years and eight months.

Det Con Jay Jeffrey said the victims were left "distraught" after the family heirlooms, including watches and "high value jewellery", were taken.

At St Albans Crown Court he was sentenced to two years and eight months in jail

The force said a first floor flat was broken into and when one of its occupants returned they found a safe containing high value jewellery, watches and cash had been smashed out of the wall and stolen.

Jewellery was also taken from another bedroom.

Saunders was identified as a suspect after forensic DNA was found in the communal hallway of the building and cell site data placed his mobile phone in the area at the time, the force said.

During a court hearing he "admitted to being at the address, stating he only ever intended to be 'the getaway driver', but had ended up helping to carry the safe", the force said.

Det Con Jeffrey said: "Understandably, the victims were left distraught by the theft of family heirlooms during the burglary, with the judge placing Saunders in the high harm category due to the psychological injury caused.

"Although nothing can make up for the loss of these items, I hope the fact that Saunders is behind bars brings some small comfort to the victims."