Two men have pleaded guilty to burglary, and one has been recalled to prison ahead of sentencing.

The pleas relate to a burglary on Tuesday, June 20, when jewellery was stolen from a property in The Clump, Rickmansworth.

Johnny Doherty, 23, of Tramway Avenue, Edmonton, London, pleaded guilty to burglary, two counts of assaulting an emergency worker, and escape from lawful custody.

He has been recalled to prison ahead of sentencing.

Patrick Hanrahan, 20, of Bath House Close, Godmanchester, Cambridgeshire, pleaded guilty to burglary and assault of an emergency worker.

He has been released on bail with strict conditions and is subject to electronic monitoring.

Both are scheduled to be sentenced at St Albans Crown Court on Monday, September 18, following their plea hearing at the same court yesterday (July 20).

Doherty and Hanrahan were caught red-handed by the police as they ransacked the property.

Police were alerted thanks to a call from a member of the public who reported seeing two men acting suspiciously near the home.

When officers arrived, the pair made off from the police but were quickly detained, and during the arrest a PCSO and a PC were assaulted, however they required no medical treatment.

Stolen jewellery was recovered, and detectives are in the process of returning it to the elderly victim.

Detective Constable Vanessa Gottmann, who investigated the incident, said: “We are pleased that both Doherty and Hanrahan have pleaded guilty to this offence, which was committed against a vulnerable member of the community.

“Again, we’d like to thank the member of the public who called us when they spotted suspicious behaviour. They trusted their instincts which enabled us to respond immediately and prevent someone becoming a victim of crime. If you think you’re witnessing a crime in progress, always call it in on 999.

“We now await the sentencing of Doherty and Hanrahan in September.”