Two men who were caught by police during a routine patrol raiding a pharmacy in Mansfield have been handed six-month prison sentences.

Dean Graves, aged 51 of Welbeck Street, Mansfield, and 35-year-old Jamie Harris of no fixed abode, were sentenced at Nottingham Magistrates’ Court after pleading guilty to a charge of burglary.

Police were alerted after an alarm went off at Rosemary Street Pharmacy in Rosemary Street at 2.50am on Saturday, November 2 and found Graves and Harris inside. Police also found a hammer on the pavement outside the pharmacy.

“The officers on duty should be commended for their alertness on patrol. Detectives have then worked hard to secure charges for these two suspects,” said Detective Chief Inspector Les Charlton of Nottinghamshire Police.

“We take any business break-in very seriously as we understand it is an unpleasant experience to come in for a shift and discover your workplace has been ransacked.”

Meanwhile, two men were arrested after a charity tin and other items were stolen from a branch of Well in Hunters’ Way, Brixworth, Northamptonshire.

The alleged incident occurred in the early hours of yesterday (November 6). Two men aged 46 are in police custody.