'BIG time' gang members who crept into a house before snatching shotguns and a police uniform in a 'sinister' plot to sell them to criminals have been caged.

'Prime mover' James Lewis and accomplice Giovanni Melillo used crowbar-like tools to haul a gun cabinet from the wall before rushing off into the darkness.

But the burglars abandoned the stolen weapons and ammunition in a nearby field when their victim's son foiled the criminals' plan.

Slumped in the dock at Oxford Crown Court, 19-year-old Lewis shook his head, wiping tears from his eyes as he was jailed for five-and-a-half years.

Co-defendant Melillo, who appeared via video link from Woodhill Prison, looked on as he was told he would be deported to native Italy after serving his five-year sentence.

But Judge Peter Ross handed the pair a lifeline, telling them he would review their sentences within 56 days if they revealed the identity of third burglar in their gang.

Sentencing the pair on Wednesday, the judge said it was 'terrifying' the guns and the police uniform could have fallen into the hands of criminals.

He added: "This is what might be described in the old days as a big time domestic burglary. This court has seen on many occasions the effects of unlawful shotguns finding their way into the criminal fraternity, and that would have been the only destination for the shotguns [in this case].

"These burglars knew exactly where they were going and exactly what they were there to steal. It is one of the sinister aspects of this particular case - that the police uniform was taken together with the shotguns and the ammunition."

The court heard victim Peter Franklin befriended Lewis, taking him into his home in Cornbrash, Merton, near Bicester, and treating him like a member of his family.

Lewis gained 'intimate' knowledge of his victim's life, discovering where he secretly hid his gun cabinet, old police uniform, cash and CCTV.

But the defendant was forced to leave the home after having a 'dispute' with Mr Franklin's son, turning to sleeping rough and sofa-surfing.

The trio of burglars took cover in a field behind Mr Franklin's home before sneaking in after he had left in the early hours of August 17, 2015.

Lewis calmed the dogs after entering through the back garden, before a 'careful' search of the house took place - stealing the cabinet, ammunition, a CCTV hub, and cash, a wedding ring and watch to the value of £3,400.

Judge Ross said they pinched a reflective police jacket but left behind a cape worn by a mounted officer, adding: "[They were] just the sort of items, when worn would give the appearance of a modern police officer."

Ronan McCann, defending Lewis, said his client, who had no previous convictions, accepted his lied throughout his trial and wants to apologise to his victim.

Rupert Wheeler, defending 21-year-old Melillo, said the defendant was 'very sorry' for his offending but blamed the plan on his co-defendant.

Mr Franklin's son was driving when he saw a flash in the nearby field, discovering his father's gun cabinet and the ammunition when he went to investigate.

Lewis was convicted by jurors of burglary, while Melillo admitted burglary and possessing a knife blade or sharp pointed article in a public place.

Both, who are of no fixed abode, must pay a victim surcharge.