A judge told a Lithuanian burglar who stole expensive cars from driveways in Hertfordshire that the sooner he is sent home the better it will be.

Judge Andrew Bright QC sentenced Kestuts Grigaitis to 4 years in jail today for his involvement in burglaries in Cuffley, Knebworth and Harpenden that took place while the occupants, including children, were asleep.

He told Grigaitis, 27,: "I want your case to be looked at by the Border Agency. The sooner you are shipped back to Lithuania the better for the inhabitants of this country."

Grigaitis of Almond Road, Tottenham, was convicted at St Albans crown court of three burglaries and two thefts.

On 27 November last year he and others broke into a large house in High Ridge, Cuffley. An Audi Q7 car, a 55 inch Panasonic TV, other electrical equipment and bottles of wine were taken.

A week later, on December 4, a Mercedes A200 and two Toshiba laptops were taken from Broom Grove, Knebworth. A Kia Sportage was also taken on the same night.

Another Mercedes, this time a CSL350, was taken from a house in Barlings Road, Harpenden on 17 December, along with electrical items and mobile phones.

None of the cars were recovered. A balaclava was found in Grigaitis' car, indicating he and his accomplices had been masked during the night time break-ins.

Another Lithuanian, Egidijus Gylys, 23, of Sorenson Court, Leyton Grange, London E10, was convicted of handing goods stolen in the three burglaries. He was jailed for 12 months but will be released soon because he has spent nearly 6 months in custody on remand.

The judge told him: "Again, I would like the Border Agency to look at your status. It may be best that you are put on a plane back to Lithuania."