Brazier and accomplices Stephen Bowley and Matthew Humphreys were arrested in May under a new regional crackdown on serious and organised cross-border crime that united the four Midland police forces.

Stafford Crown Court was told that in March the trio struck at homes across Sutton Coldfield, Burton, Northampton, Branston, Banbury, Evesham, Kenilworth and Ashby-de-la-Zouch.

It heard how they would sneak into people’s homes through unlocked doors, often while their victims were in another room watching television or speaking on the telephone, and take their keys.

The luxury vehicles included Audis, BMWs and Mercedes.

Brazier, of Haywood Road, Tile Cross, pleaded guilty to seven burglaries, ten thefts and one count of handling stolen goods and asked for 14 other burglaries to be taken into consideration. He was jailed for five years.

Bowley, 32, of St Giles Road, Kitts Green, and Humphreys, 27, of Coventry Road, Sheldon, each pleaded guilty to three burglaries and four thefts. Humphreys also admitted two handling offences. They were both jailed for three years and four months.

Christopher O’Gorman, defending, Bowley, said he had been deeply affected by the suicide of his uncle and unable to support his family had turned to crime.

Anthony Potter, defending Humphreys, said he had written a letter to his victims expressing his remorse and appreciation of the distress he had caused.