TWO men who burgled a Co-Operative store in Great Missenden and stole a large quantity of cigarettes have been jailed.

The pair were sentenced at Aylesbury Crown Court for the burglary in Great Missenden and the attempted burglary of another Co-Op store in Tring.

Mark Derriman, 35, of no fixed abode, has been jailed for 28 months, which includes two years for the Great Missenden offence and two years for the Tring offence, both to be served concurrently after pleading guilty.

After also pleading guilty, Craig Back of Burnham, 35, was jailed for 20 months for both crimes, to be served concurrently.

Police said at 2.13am on Thursday, February 20, this year, the pair attempted to break into the Co-Op in Tring.

They were seen trying to force open the metal shutters at the front of the shop. However, they were unsuccessful.

Two minutes later, the pair were spotted driving away at speed by police. A registration plate as well as a description of the vehicle was captured.

At approximately 3.12am the same morning the pair broke into the Co-Op store in Great Missenden by smashing a glass panel. Large quantities of cigarettes were then stolen.

Approximately 15 minutes later at 3.30am, the car in which Derriman and Back were travelling was stopped by police and they were subsequently arrested. Officers also recovered the stolen cigarettes.

Det Con Austin Parry, investigating officer, said: “The evidence against these two individuals was overwhelming so I am pleased that they pleaded guilty.

“They were clearly on a mission to burgle Co-Op stores that evening. However, they were swiftly arrested by police following the second incident.”