THEY were crimes that left their victims terrified – and in one case wanting to move out of their own home.

But two thieves are today waking up behind bars after a series of chilling burglaries across Southampton.

The value of the goods stolen by Ryan Crowther and Christopher Spear, which included jewellery, cash and electrical goods, is thought to run into thousands of pounds.

Victims have told of their terror at waking up to see or hear burglars in their own homes at night.

Daily Echo: Jailed: Ryan Crowther

Southampton Crown Court heard how, in one break-in, 21-year-old Crowther and two others entered a home in Fitzhugh Place where a couple and their 11-year-old son were asleep upstairs.

They ran off on realising people were inside, but in an impact statement, the female occupant said she had “never been so scared in my whole life”, how her child was now afraid to go upstairs alone and how the family now wanted to leave their home.

In another burglary on Cumbrian Way, Southampton last year, 21-year-old Spear reached across a teenage girl who was asleep on a sofa and stole her mobile telephone.

A separate burglary in Edwin Jones Green saw a frightened 17-year-old girl wake in the middle of the night to find Spear in her room.

He also targeted a home in Bassett Avenue while the occupants were in the garden stealing jewellery and cash with a combined value of £2,000, the court heard.

Crowther and Spear then both broke into a home in Burgess Road on April 12 during the day and walked out with a safe containing valuables.

Daily Echo: Jailed: Christopher Spear

But they were stopped nearby by police and their footwear was matched to marks in the house.

The Court heard how Crowther, of Chettle Road, Southampton, had admitted to one count of burglary and another of attempted burglary. Ten further offences, including burglary and theft, were also taken into account.

Spear, of Shinewell Gardens, Southampton, had pleaded guilty to four counts of burglary.

In mitigation, the court heard how Crowther had wanted to apologise to the people he had burgled. He also received credit for his cooperation with police while they were investigating the break-ins.

Spear had suffered a difficult upbringing, dealing with learning difficulties and had stolen in the past because of his drug dependency.

He had also written a letter to say he “hated the person” he had become and described his remorse at the impact his actions had had on his victims.

But passing sentence, Judge Peter Ralls QC said all of the burglaries had had a “significant impact” on the people involved.

Crowther, who had 25 previous convictions for 73 offences, was sentenced to four years of which he will serve half.

Spear, who had 21 convictions for 35 offences, will also serve half of a three-year jail term.