TWO cousins have been sentenced to six years each after being convicted of conspiracy to burgle homes across Cheshire, Merseyside and Lancashire.

Their targets included eight properties in Widnes.

Barry Baillie, aged 36, from Walton,  and Alfie Cochrane, aged 29, from Norris Green, were jailed at Warrington Crown Court, on Thursday.

The pair were charged with conspiracy to commit burglary between December, 2011 and February, 2012.

They broke into homes in Whitstable Park, Barrows Green Lane, Kingsway, Cronton Lane, Upton Rocks and Chislet Court.

Today, DS Ian Alldred, who investigated the case, said: “A large number of homes targeted were in the Widnes area.

"The guilty verdicts and the sentences handed down to the pair will see them taken off the streets for a considerable amount of time.

“We hope that this offers some comfort to their victims who have gone through a distressing ordeal.

"Burglary is a despicable crime as it targets people in the one place they should feel safest, in their own home. We take any incidents of this nature extremely seriously and we will continue to do all we can to trace those responsible and ensure they are brought to justice.

"Those who believe Cheshire is an easy target should be warned - we will not tolerate anyone who chooses to travel into the area to commit crime.

"Residents can rest assured that those who break the law will end up paying the price for their actions."

The pair burgled one property in Liverpool and three in Lancashire.