A burglar has been sentenced for his part in stealing a car from outside a Chessington home and crashing it.

Martin Stevens, 20, of Thackery Close, Isleworth, was caught as a passenger in the stolen silver Ford Focus on October 14, 2009 - just minutes from the victim’s address in Grange Road.

The driver, Kenneth Paul, was arrested after jumping out of the crashed car, and has already been sentenced.

Stevens was arrested in the car, which had reached speeds of 80mph in a residential area, wearing latex gloves.

Prosecutor Shub Banjeree said: “The defendant was involved in the burglary and that can be drawn from the fact he was in the car so soon after the burglary but also he had the latex gloves.”

Stevens denied being part of the burglary and said he only knew the car was stolen after getting in it, but a jury dismissed his claims in February.

The car was taken while the owner and his wife were in bed.

Mr Banjeree said: “They heard a noise and he looked out of the window time to see the Ford Focus being driven away.”

Judge Michael Hopmeier, delivering Stevens’ sentence at Kingston Crown Court on Friday, April 16, said: “This sort of conduct is wholly unacceptable.

"You are a young man, I think you are still aged 20 years. You have the support of your family and unless you get your life on track, you are just going to spend years in prison.

“You are old enough to know better. There are a lot of young men who do not have supportive families, with real problems, and they do not commit offences.”

He sentenced Stevens to nine months’ prison for the burglary offence, suspended for two years.

He also received a three month sentence for allowing himself to be carried in the vehicle, suspended for two years concurrent.

On top of that, he was ordered to pay £750 costs, carry out 150 hours of unpaid work and complete a six-month alcohol treatment order.