A BURGLAR has never set eyes on his second child after she was born after he was remanded in custody for his part in a 'sophisticated' gang targeting rural businesses.

Lewis Hutchinson was one of three men who were touring North Yorkshire looking for buildings to burgle, Teesside Crown Court heard.

The gang carried out a series of burglaries in January this year but their luck ran out when they were spotted on CCTV by a farmer who called the police.

Their break-in rampage was brought to an end following a high speed chase through east Cleveland where the gang were throwing stolen goods out of the window in a desperate attempt to foil police.

Paul Newcombe, prosecuting, said their bid was foiled when police deployed a stinger on the outskirts of Nunthorpe to stop the car in its tracks on January 19.

Hutchinson tried to flee but was found hiding in the grounds of Upsall Hall following the raids on farm buildings.

Mr Newcombe said the occupants of one of the farms, Easington Hall, had been left upset by the burglary and the couple's children were scared that the 'bad men' would come back.

The gang were back targeting farm buildings on February 2 when they attempted to break into an out-building at Carlin How Farm, near Guisborough, before turning their attention to the nearby Coach House where they stole a number of tools, some where never recovered.

Hutchinson, who was identified by police after being spotted on CCTV removing his scarf from his face, pleaded guilty to five charges of burglary and one of possessing cannabis.

In mitigation, Robin Turton, said Hutchinson's eldest child would no longer recognise him as he has been remanded in custody since March.

He said: "He is still only 21-years-old and I would suggest is that he is not a sophisticated man. His daughter was born whilst he was in custody; he son was only one when he was put into custody and he is scared he will no longer recognise him."

The judge, Recorder Alistair MacDonald, jailed Hutchinson to three years in custody for the burglaries and a further one month for breaching a previous suspended sentence.