A MAN has been sentenced to three years and six months in prison after pleading guilty to a burglary which took place at Clarendon Fine Art in Stow-on-the-Wold in March.

Jamie Anthony Nash, 41, of Bristol Road South, Birmingham, pleaded guilty to one count of burglary after appearing at Cheltenham Magistrates' Court.

Police were called to Clarendon Fine Art in Stow-on-the-Wold shortly before 3.30am on Tuesday, March 5, following reports of a burglary.

Nash was arrested in connection with this the following Friday after officers from Gloucestershire Police's scenes of crime team found DNA evidence at the scene of the burglary.

He was sentenced at Gloucester Crown Court and was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge fee of £175.

Investigating officer Jessica Bull said: "This was a high-value burglary with artwork totalling £44,975 having been taken. Unfortunately no artwork has been recovered at this stage.

"However, hopefully today’s sentencing provides some justice for the art gallery and for all the artists whose works have been stolen."

Crime Scene Co-coordinator Martin Cuffe said: "This is an excellent example of the joined-up working within Gloucestershire Constabulary.

"From the initial attending officers who secured and preserved the scene; the forensic team who recovered and submitted key items of forensic evidence which led to the identification of the suspect, and then the work of our investigations and force crime ops team, who worked together to secure a prompt arrest and charge of this offender.

"This joint effort allowed us to secure valuable evidence to support a prosecution and has prevented this individual from committing further offences and from causing further harm to our community."