A Stoke-on-Trent burglar and car thief has been jailed for more than four years.

Ibrar Tariq, 31, of Stoke-on-Trent, was sentenced to four-years-and-ten-months at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on Monday 5 October.

He pleaded guilty to three counts of theft of a motor vehicle, one count of burglary, two counts of attempted burglary, two counts of receiving stolen goods, one count of possessing an offensive weapon in a public place and one count of possessing a controlled drug of class A – cocaine.

Tariq went on to admit further offences, including four counts of burglary dwelling, six counts of theft of a motor vehicle and thirteen counts of theft from a motor vehicle.

Detective Sergeant Kyle Bennett, from CID, said: "Tariq's offending was widespread and I'm pleased we've been able to secure his prison term at the end of this investigation.

"We know that burglary and theft is a key priority for local people and businesses, and they want to see us acting against those responsible.

"This is another example of that commitment, and I can assure communities across Stoke-on-Trent that we are working tirelessly to put those responsible for these crimes behind bars."

It comes after Tariq broke into a house on Kings Road in Hanford and took vehicle keys, bankcards and a purse, before stealing a Ford Fiesta and Ford Transit belonging to the home owner.

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The police force said that he also attempted a burglary at two homes on Stone Road in Hanford, during the same night.

A few days later, he stole a Vauxhall Insignia from Seaford Street in Shelton.

In August this year, Staffordshire Police stopped Tariq while he was driving a Mercedes C220 on cloned plates.

The vehicle had been stolen from Longton.

The police force said He tried to drop a bag during his arrest with cocaine inside. Officers also found an extendable baton in the car, a balaclava and cash.