Two Walton men are part of a burglary gang who have been jailed for nearly 28 years after a succession of high value offences across Surrey and Sussex, including at John Terry’s house in Oxshott.

Judge Susan Tapping, sentencing at Kingston Crown Court, said it was a "carefully planned" string of raids on large luxury homes by a gang who are "experienced if not professional burglars".

Oliver Paul Hart, 25, from the Walton area but currently of no fixed abode, has been sentenced to five years and four months, and Roy Andrew Mark Head, 28, of Felix Road, has been sentenced to seven years and four months.

The pair, along with Darren Kevin Eastaugh, 30, of Bedfont Close, Feltham (seven years and three months), and Joshua Sumer, 27, of Toad Lane, Hounslow (eight years), pleaded guilty to one charge of conspiracy to burgle involving seven offences with a total loss in the region of £600,000.

They all have substantial criminal records; Head, Eastaugh and Sumer were sentenced for conspiracy to burgle in 2014 and were released on license in 2016.

Eastaugh and Sumer admitted to breaking into former England captain John Terry’s mansion in Moles Hill, Oxshott, on February 25 to 26.

They attempted and failed to break into a safe, but still made off with designer handbags worth £126,000, more than £220,000 of jewellery and rare signed first edition Harry Potter books valued at £18,000.

Mr Terry had posted a picture on Instagram of himself and his wife Toni from the French Alps, telling his 3.4 million followers he was enjoying a “great few days away skiing with the family”.

The judge said: “It might have been a mistake to post a family photograph on social media to show that he was away on holiday. His home was deliberately targeted and the master bedroom suite was ransacked.”

Hart and Sumer admitted that on March 1 in Comptons Lane, Horsham, Sussex, they broke into a shed and attempted to break into a house before being disturbed.

On the same day they broke into a house in Grafton Road, Selsey, Sussex, and stole a safe containing money and jewellery.

Eastaugh and Hart admitted that on February 28 in Worple Road, Staines/Ashford area they broke in to a property but were disturbed.

Head and Eastaugh admitted to breaking into a house in Mount Hermon, Woking, on March 9, being disturbed and then later the same day breaking into a house in Lower Road, Bookham, and stealing a camera.

The pair, as well as Hart, were arrested by Flying Squad and the camera was found in Eastaugh’s car.

Only the previous day, Head had been arrested by Sussex Police and was subject to an identity parade, but was released on bail pending further investigation.

DC Phil Carter, officer in charge of case, said: “These men have been convicted of a series of high value burglaries in Surrey and Sussex earlier this year. The loss to victims was substantial with a total value for the seven offences in the region of £600,000. High value homes were targeted, some with occupants present during the offences, which is likely to have been very upsetting for them.

“I welcome the sentences handed down today. They reflect the very serious nature of these offences. This was a complex investigation completed with help from the Flying Squad whose assistance proved crucial in securing the defendants guilty pleas.

“As this case demonstrates, Surrey Police takes burglary very seriously and burglars should be in no doubt that if you offend we will come after you and ensure you face justice.”

Another man, Kye Hardy-King, 25, of Lela Avenue, Hounslow, pleaded guilty to handling stolen goods, and has been received a 12-month suspended sentence, suspended for 12 months, a two-month curfew and 20 days of rehabilitation.

He owns Rojan Jewellers, North End Road, Fulham, which police raided on March 6 and identified a ring from the Selsey burglary.