TWO burglars who took a car from outside a targeted house were caught after a chase involving two police vehicles when they became stuck behind a farm vehicle.

John Christopher McCourt and Paul Faulkner made off from the scene of the burglary, in Seaham , County Durham, in the victims’ family car, a Nissan Qashqai, parked outside the property in Rutland Street, early on June 6.

Durham Crown Court heard that police spotted it near Hart Village, on the outskirts of Hartlepool , at 2.30am.

Officers in marked and unmarked cars tried to box it in, but it reversed into one and rejoined Hart Lane, heading towards Hartlepool.

Oliver Thorne, prosecuting, said in the ensuing pursuit the Qashqai went the wrong way round two roundabouts, forced oncoming vehicles to swerve to avoid a collision after overtaking blindly and was driven down an embankment.

The chase ended when the Qashqai was blocked by a slow-moving agricultural vehicle, enabling the police cars to successfully box it from behind.

Mr Thorne said the pair tried to flee on foot but were chased and caught.

McCourt was carrying £247, taken from the house, in his clothing, while a stolen mobile phone was found discarded nearby.

Mr Thorne said a further £2,600 taken in the burglary remains outstanding, but kitchen knives taken from the house were discovered in the damaged Qashqai.

The burgled property was the home of a couple and their five children. Mr Thorne said a safe was searched and the car keys were removed from a fob above a door.

Faulkner, 30, of Ilchester Square, and McCourt, 31, of Derwent Close, both Seaham, each admitted burglary and aggravated vehicle taking.

Faulkner also admitted driving while disqualified and without insurance.

The court heard both have long previous records and Mc- Court is now a five-strike burglar.

Jamie Adams, for Faulkner, said his offending arose due to his long-standing heroin addiction, which needs to be addressed.

Ron Mitchell, for McCourt, said there was no confrontation during the burglary, while the knives taken were not actually used by the pair.

Recorder Ray Singh said the burglary has had a devastating effect on the family whose home was raided.

He jailed McCourt for four years and imposed a sentence of three years and three months on Faulkner.