A criminal duo has been jailed for over 13 years for their part in a £200,000 break-in spree. 

Shamer Manning, 27, and Tom Manning, 45, are now starting sentences in prison after their "shameless offending" saw them steal £200,000 worth of valuables whilst breaking into properties in Newcastle, North Tyneside, and Northumberland. 

The pair, both from Ashington, committed 16 burglary offences between October 2020 and November 2021, which targeted Asian communities. All of the victims had gold or cash stolen from their homes. 

The break-ins were finally stopped by a specialist, targeted police operation led by officers from Northumbria Police's dedicated Northern burglary team.

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Whilst investigating the break-ins, officers discovered that Shamer Manning purchased three vehicles from an online selling platform, using the alias ‘John Cook’ to mask his identity.

The cars were each fitted with cloned licence plates, but despite the burglar's attempts at subterfuge, they were detected near the scene of several break-ins.

Further enquiries led officers to discover Shamer Manning’s phone had been active in the area at every burglary, and revealed that he had been in regular contact with Thomas Manning at those times.

With the evidence mounting, they were both arrested on suspicion of burglary in December 2021.

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Shamer Manning was later charged with 18 offences including burglary, attempted burglary, and possession of a prohibited substance, whilst Tom Manning was charged with four offences including handling stolen property. He was also charged with possession of an offensive weapon when officers seized a Taser upon his arrest.

Earlier this year, the duo attended Newcastle Crown Court where they pleaded guilty to all offences.

Yesterday (Wednesday, May 4), they both appeared before the same court, where they were sentenced as follows:

Shamer Manning, of Ariel Street, Ashington, was sentenced to 12 years and four months imprisonment after being convicted of 17 counts of burglary, and one count of possession of an offensive substance.

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Thomas Manning, of Park Road, Ashington, was sentenced to nine months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months after being convicted of two counts of handling stolen goods and one count of possession of an offensive weapon.

Detective Inspector Katie Smith, of Northumbria Police, led the investigation into the burglaries. She said: “This is a fantastic outcome following a thorough and lengthy investigation by our skilled officers. I am pleased to see that all three offenders have finally been brought to justice, and their crime spree put to an end.

“Burglary and theft are intrusive crimes, and we are committed to delivering robust action and effective justice against any offenders detected in our region.

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“Everybody has the right to feel safe and secure in their own home which is why we will always pursue those carrying out burglary offences and do all we can to bring them to justice.

“They can now spend some time reflecting on their shameless actions, and I hope they think long and hard about all the people in our communities that they have affected along the way.

“As ever, we would ask the wider public, including businesses, to continue to work with us to help reduce the impact burglary can have by ensuring doors, windows and properties are kept secure and valuables out of view.”