TWO prolific burglars are behind bars after attacking homes in Huddersfield.

Durrell Simmonds, of Fartown, and Michael McDonnell, of Newsome, were both handed hefty sentences by a judge.

Police have hailed the sentences and welcomed the fact that the criminals have been taken off the streets of the town.

Simmonds, described by police as a ‘prolific’ offender, was sentenced at Bradford Crown Court to four years in prison following a string of burglaries – including one against an 84-year-old victim.

The 20-year-old burglar, of Aquamarine Drive, was charged with three offences which occurred at Long Lane in Huddersfield on August 14 and two the following day at Foxlow Avenue in Rawthorpe and Stile Common Road in Newsome.

He stole electrical items, purses and handbags during all three raids.

During the Long Lane robbery, he was confronted by the home owner and made off.

But the next day he committed two further burglaries. Police arrested him later the same day and discovered some of the stolen goods on him.

Det Insp Richard Holmes said: “Simmonds can only be described as prolific in the way in which he targeted addresses where doors and windows had been left insecure.

“With this in mind, I would like to reiterate to residents how vitally important it is to keep doors and windows locked even when you are at home.

“He was confronted in the house at two of these burglaries by which time it was too late and he was already inside. “Through the diligent enquiries of the officers who arrested and then interviewed Simmonds, property from the burglaries was positively identified, allowing him to be charged and brought to justice.”

In a separate case, McDonnell, 37, of Barcroft Road in Newsome, was sentenced to three years and four months for burglary.

McDonell was caught after trying to get into a house on Jackroyd Lane in Newsome on July 19.

A neighbour saw someone acting suspicious at the rear of a house and called police who arrested McDonnell nearby.

When the address was checked, he had forced open a kitchen window but he had not had the chance to steal anything before police swooped on him.

DI Richard Holmes added: “Due to the swift action of the neighbour in reporting the matter to the police and the prompt attendance at the scene, this local offender was caught, charged and sentenced to a lengthy prison spell.

“With the help of the community in reporting such matters, offenders who target people’s homes and possessions can be brought to justice quicker and taken off the streets.

“The length of this sentence reflects the serious nature in which the Criminal Justice System puts on offences and offenders of this type.”