TWO brothers with prolific criminal records are beginning their latest prison sentences after carrying out house burglaries on successive days.

Forty-year-old Michael Nathaniel Simons was jailed on Friday (November 7) for five years at Durham Crown Court after admitting both break-ins, in Darlington, on September 17 and 18.

Younger brother Adam Daniel Simons, 34, received a sentence of two years and five months, after admitting involvement in the first burglary, the mandatory three-year sentence as a "third strike" burglar, less 20 per cent for his 'guilty' plea.

Ian West, prosecuting, said Michael Simons was on bail at the time of the break-ins after being arrested in enclosed premises, a B&Q warehouse yard in Darlington, and was due at the town’s magistrates court to answer for that and two alleged shop thefts on September 26.

He had also just completed a short prison sentence for breaching a previous suspended sentence.

Mr West said the first burglary was at an address in Denmark Street, where a single mother lives with her three children.

It was discovered when the woman realised two handbags were missing and one of her children found the door slightly ajar on the morning of September 17.

Mr West said the following day she realised a lap-top computer was missing, but Michael Simons, who she did not know, knocked at the door at 11.30am to tell her that a camcorder had also been taken and his brother, Adam, had it, in the loft of their home, in St Anne’s Terrace.

Police were informed and it was recovered. While a statement was taken from Adam Simons, later that day, Michael returned home, and was asked about the stolen lap-top, which he said had been sold.

It emerged that during that day Michael Simons entered a house in Balby Drive, Darlington, via an insecure patio door and was confronted when the resident returned home minutes later.

A chase followed in which Simons claimed to have a knife and twice threw stolen items towards the angry householder, before making good his escape.

Both Simons were arrested on September 19 and subsequently made their admissions.

John Turner, mitigating, said both have drink and drug issues which they are trying to address while behind bars.

He told the court that Adam Simons is the full-time carer for Michael, who has long-term health problems, and in that role he shares the cell with his brother at Durham Prison.

Jailing both Judge Christopher Prince said they should be ashamed of their actions, particularly the first break-in, which he said would have obviously been at the home of someone with young children.