TWO bungling burglars who both share the name Bernie McDonagh have been jailed for a spate of house raids.

Bernie McDonagh, 56, of Romford, Essex, and his partner in crime Bernie McDonagh, 35, of Coventry, are not thought to be related.

The pair broke into homes in Coventry, Warwickshire and Essex but were nailed by CCTV and DNA.

Romford McDonagh was convicted of a string of offences including three burglaries, attempted burglary and driving without insurance.

He was jailed for four years, nine months and two weeks and banned from driving.

Meanwhile Coventry McDonagh was convicted of burglary, attempted burglary and going equipped and was jailed for two years. 

The pair were sentenced at Warwick Crown Court on Tuesday (17/9).

The court heard the McDonaghs attempted to break into a house in Binley Woods, Coventry, on August 1 but only succeeded in damaging the lock and door frame.

They were both seen to drive up in a black Lexus and reverse on to the drive at the time when the damage was caused.

On August 6, they broke into a house in Bulkington, Warks., by forcing their way through the rear door.

They stole a 55-inch television, six watches, and a necklace worth a total of £3,100.

A security camera captured them arriving in a black Lexus, and later loading the television into car.

On August 10, they were seen breaking into a house in the village of Willey, Warks.

They spent five minutes ransacking the property before stealing a jewellery box and, bizarrely, a yellow floral pillowcase.

Yet again they were caught on CCTV making their getaway in a black Lexus.

The court heard Romford McDonagh also broke into a house in Upminster, Essex, on November 22 last year.

He stole cash and two watches worth a total of £5,500.

Police identified him as a suspect after his DNA was found on a hammer used to smash the back door.

Detective Inspector Alan Hands, of the Serious Organised and Acquisitive Crime Team, said: “The McDonaghs were of the opinion that they could go from house to house across the country and take what they liked, when they liked, without any repercussions.

“They used the same car each time and were caught on CCTV repeatedly, indicating that they took very little care in trying to remain unseen.

“It has been a pleasure for us to bring this little piece of reality to them through this prison sentence, and to give the victims of these burglaries the reassurance that they have been suitably punished for their crimes.”