THREE burglars traced by police helicopter after a raid on a house near St Ives have been jailed.

They made off from the property in Colne before police arrived but were pursued by the police helicopter, which filmed this dramatic footage. They were seen throwing bags of jewellery and other items out of their moving car.

Robert Moss, 22, from Edmonton, London, Paul Gumble, 23, of Huntingdon Road, Chatteris, Vince Ryder, 21, from Epping, Essex, and a 21-year-old man from Maldon, Essex, had broken into the house in East Street at around 2pm on April 29.

Moss, Gumble and the 21-year-old man jumped out of the car at Westbourne Road, Chatteris, and ran off but Moss and Gumble were quickly arrested.

Ryder took over the driving and tried to flee the scene, but eventually abandoned the car and tried to escape over several fences and hedges before he was tackled by an officer in nearby London Road, Chatteris.

The 21-year-old man, from Maldon, Essex, was arrested a few days later following police investigations.

All four pleaded guilty to burglary, and Gumble and Ryder also admitted driving while disqualified and driving with no insurance.

Ryder was sentenced to six months for burglary and six months for driving whilst disqualified, to run concurrently. He was also given a 12-month driving ban.

Moss was sentenced to six months for burglary and two months for a breach of a community order, to run consecutively.

Gumble was sentenced to six months for burglary and six months for driving while disqualified, to run concurrently. He was also given a 12-month driving ban.

The 21-year-old man was sentenced to six months for burglary, suspended for 12 months, given a community order for 18 months, 150 hours of unpaid work and �85 court costs.

Detective Constable Sharon Popple said: “This case shows the value of the helicopter in tracing offenders who had probably thought they had made a clean getaway.

“The crew were able to direct officers on the ground straight to the offenders and meant we could quickly arrest those responsible and return the stolen property to its rightful owner.

“The footage also clearly showed Gumble and Ryder behind the wheel of the car despite being disqualified drivers.”

To see footage of the dramatic chase, visit www.huntspost24.co.uk