An Ipswich couple say they have felt scared ever since their car and bank cards were taken by a 44-year-old thief.

The couple, who have two children, were sleeping when Ben Fehily, of no fixed abode, broke into their house in Windsor Road in the early hours of the morning.

Ben Fehily appeared at Ipswich Crown Court for sentencingBen Fehily appeared at Ipswich Crown Court for sentencing (Image: Suffolk Police)

Fehily, 44, was sentenced to 30 months in prison at Ipswich Crown Court on Wednesday after admitting the offence.

The court heard he patrolled the area at about 3am on June 11 with an accomplice trying doors to see which were open.

The defendant went into the victims’ garden and found the rear door unlocked then went inside their house and found a handbag with bank cards and a car key, the prosecutor said.

Fehily took the cards then stole the family car, which was worth £14,300.

It has not been recovered, the court heard.

He spent £135 using the stolen cards but was eventually identified by police using CCTV from Spurdens Convenience Store in Duke Street in Ipswich where he had tried to purchase some items.

A statement from the mum-of-two said: “Since this incident I have been constantly scared.

“I feel my new car will be stolen. I have two children at my home who are now scared of being there.

“My husband and I work hard to pay bills. It’s cruel for someone to do this to us when we have done nothing wrong.”

She added: “I am struggling to support my family and have a roof over my head.

“I just wish I could have protected my family and my home.”

Her husbanded added: “In the car I lost my office belongings which I was not able to replace.

“We have had big financial problems and responsibilities.

“The incident has made me very sensitive to any sound and I jump out of bed in the middle of the night if I hear anything.”

In mitigation, the court heard Fehily had a history of theft to support a drug addiction but has recently begun improving himself in prison and managed to get himself off the drugs.

Judge Nicola Talbot-Hadley gave the defendant 30 months in prison and reminded him that residential burglary causes “enormous trauma” to the victims.