TWO prolific criminals are back behind bars for a spree which resulted in two guns finding their way into the underworld and an expensive car being written off.

Darlington pals Methin Ucarcan and Carl Dolan brought misery to two households with break-ins, while Dolan also tried to used forged notes in a sports shop.

Ucarcan, 23, had only been out of prison for two-and-a-half months when he paired up with his 25-year-old friend to commit two burglaries in less than a week.

From the first house in Middleton Lane, two shotguns, a silencer, a bolt action rifle and an air rifle were taken along with a Volkswagen Amorat.

The devastated owner also lost a bag containing irreplaceable and sentimental photographs, letters and poems, prosecutor Lewis Kerr told Teesside Crown Court.

Days later, the pair struck in Leafield Road after checking through windows for an empty house - not realising the householder was upstairs getting ready for a night out.

A handbag and fleece jacket were stolen along with keys to a Mini which was also driven off - but parked nearby outside a house where the two were with friends.

When police arrived, Ucarcan was found hiding in a cupboard, but Dolan escaped through a kitchen window and was not caught until the following day.

Earlier last December, he used £260 in fake £20 notes to buy clothing and shoes from JD Sports in Darlington - then stupidly went back and had the leisure wear taken off him.

Ucarcan, of Pateley Moor Crescent, was jailed for six years, and Dolan, of Havelock Street, got five years and eight months after they admitted theft and burglary.

Joanne Kidd, for Ucarcan, said he went to live with his brother when he was freed from his six-year robbery term in September, but they fell out and he became homeless.

Dolan's lawyer Ben Pegman said: "His record is similarly depressing. Since turning 18, it would appear he has hardly had any time when he has been at liberty.

"He has been incarcerated pretty much throughout that time . . . I have been through the victim impact statements with him, and, for what it's worth, he is genuinely sorry."

In his statement, the legitimate gun owner, who got some of his weapons back, said he had suffered huge financial loss and will feel the consequences "for some time to come".

The other home-owner said having to cancel bank cards and miss work after the break-in caused difficulties, but the biggest impact has been on her peace of mind and safety.

Judge Crowson told the pair they had "appalling" records, and said: "Firearms taken and not recovered is a very significant matter and a concern to the court.

"To have firearms in the community at large and in the hands of people who are not qualified to have them should be a concern to everyone."