A gardener and his accomplice have been jailed for stealing thousands of pounds from their employers.

Robert Mansbridge was a gardener for a property in Portsmouth Lane, Lindfield, near Haywards Heath, for 25 years, but together with Craig Preston, they secretly burgled the house.

Police were called to a report of a residential burglary on May 4, 2023, in which thousands of pounds worth of jewellery and personal items were stolen.

Robert Mansbridge had been a gardener at the property for 25 yearsRobert Mansbridge had been a gardener at the property for 25 years (Image: Sussex Police)

They were arrested a day later, together in a car and a large amount of stolen items were found in the vehicle.

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Mansbridge, 57, of no fixed address, was found guilty by the jury following a four day trial at Lewes Crown Court on April 2.

Preston, 42, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to the charge.  

Craig Preston pleaded guilty to the chargeCraig Preston pleaded guilty to the charge (Image: Sussex Police)

They were sentenced to a combined seven years’ imprisonment when they appeared before Lewes Crown Court on June 24.

Mansbridge was jailed for four years and Preston was jailed for three years.

Detective Chief Inspector Colin Garman said: “This imprisonment of Mansbridge and Preston will have prevented them committing many further residential burglaries in Mid Sussex.

“Most importantly, the sentence gives the victims and their family peace of mind after Mansbridge and Preston breached years of trust by committing this offence.

“The team worked extremely hard to secure this result.”