Burglars stuffed £50k of jewellery in pillowcases

Custody shots of both men in a composite side by side photo. Matthew is not smiling and has short hair and some facial hair, both a sandy colour between blonde and brown. He is wearing a jacket with a collar turned up. Jason has longer dark hair that has been styled upwards with a slight curl. He has some facial hair and is wearing a blue hoodie.Image source, Cambridgeshire Police
Image caption,

Matthew (left) and Jason Turner, who are not related, both admitted burglary and theft

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Two men who stole jewellery worth almost £50,000 by stuffing it in pillowcases have been jailed.

Matthew Turner, 39, and Jason Turner, 36, were spotted leaving a house on Victoria Road in Cambridge at about 01:30 BST on 13 April before escaping on bicycles.

They were arrested the same day and later admitted burglary and theft, while most of the jewellery was found scattered on Midsummer Common and hidden on Coldham's Common and Jesus Green.

Matthew, of Vicarage Terrace, was jailed for two years and nine months, while Jason, of no known address, was jailed for two years and three months at Cambridge Crown Court on Friday.

A man and woman were returning home when they saw the pair, who are unrelated, leaving the house with full pillowcases.

When the victims went inside, they noticed jewellery, an iPad, a recently delivered parcel of clothing and two pillowcases had been stolen.

Det Con Callum Fullwood said: "This must have been a terrifying experience for the victims as they returned home to find two burglars leaving their property.

"I'm pleased they were apprehended quickly and most of the jewellery has now been recovered.

"The items have sentimental, as well as monetary, value so it was a relief for the victims to be reunited with their property. I hope the final remaining items are found and returned."

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