Two men convicted of burglary and theft of luxury vehicles have avoided jail.

Tyrese Cannon and Dave Hendley, both 19, were arrested and charged with a number of offences after stealing Jaguars, Land Rovers and Range Rovers in Bexhill, Hastings and Eastbourne last summer. .

Two burglaries in Bexhill were also reported July 28 and September 21 and a building site in the same town was damaged on August 26.

Police investigated and Cannon, 19, of Oak Road, Bexhill, was arrested and charged with seven counts of theft of a motor vehicle, three counts of burglary and one count of criminal damage.

A further investigation by Sussex Police’s community investigations team (CIT) led to the arrest of Hendley, also of Oak Road, who was later charged with three counts of theft of a motor vehicle, one count of burglary and driving offences.

The pair appeared before Lewes Crown Court for sentencing on Thursday, January 18, after pleading guilty to all charges at earlier hearings.

Cannon was sentenced to nine months’ imprisonment, suspended for 18 months. He was additionally disqualified from driving for 12 months, ordered to undertake 150 hours unpaid work and take part in a rehabilitation programme.

Hendley was sentenced to 15 months’ imprisonment, suspended for 20 months. He was ordered to undertake 200 hours unpaid work and take part in a rehabilitation programme.

Police Constable Ciaran Gaymer, of the CIT, said: “We are aware of the impact vehicle crime and burglary has on our communities and we will continue to be robust in our approach to tackling such criminality.

“There are steps that owners can take to prevent theft of keyless entry vehicles, such as keeping key fobs in Faraday bags and using a steering wheel lock to help prevent crime.

“I urge anyone who sees anyone acting suspiciously in their communities to report this online or by calling 101.”