Burglary gang ransacked luxury Leeds home to steal high-powered Audi which was involved in dangerous police chase

A burglar who was part of a professional gang which raided a luxury home in Leeds has been locked up for 30 months.

Brendan Rodgers and three other men were caught on camera smashing their way into the property on March 3 this year.

Leeds Crown Court heard the burglars smashed a patio window before entering the property and searching rooms for valuables.

The court heard footprints were left all over the house.

Brendan Rodger was locked up for 30 months over burglary at house in Scarcroft in which Audi was stolen.Brendan Rodger was locked up for 30 months over burglary at house in Scarcroft in which Audi was stolen.
Brendan Rodger was locked up for 30 months over burglary at house in Scarcroft in which Audi was stolen.
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Keys to a high-value Audi were taken and the vehicle was stolen from outside the property.

The gang members were equipped with tools for the raid and drove to the north Leeds village in a Mondeo stolen days earlier.

The Audi was fitted with a tracker which was activated and police traced the vehicle to the Rothwell area where it had been fitted with false plates.

Rodgers, of Handsby Avenue, Seacroft, was a passenger in the Audi which was driven off.

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The vehicle was driven through red lights at speed and other road users were put in danger.

Items were thrown from the Audi at the police car during the pursuit.

Rodgers, 23, pleaded guilty to burglary, theft and aggravated vehicle taking.

He was out of prison on licence at the time of the incident for an offence of possessing a blade in public.

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Rodgers has previous convictions for burglary, theft, criminal damage and handling stolen goods.

The owners of the property in Scarcroft provided a victim statement to the court.

They described how they no longer feel safe in their own home.

The Audi was recovered by police but was badly damaged and the central console had been ripped out.

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Andrew Pettison, mitigating, said Rodgers pleaded guilty to the offences at the earliest opportunity.

Sentencing Rodgers, Judge Simon Phillips QC said: "You have, for a man of 23 years of age, an invidious criminal record."