Burglars who stole specialist equipment used by a disabled Carlisle boy have been jailed.

The city’s crown court heard that 21-year-old Ricky Murphy and Daniel Shaw, 19, were high on Valium and alcohol as they raided the home of charity volunteer Helen Render and her husband Martin.

The criminals stole car keys and then took the family’s £15,000 Honda Civic car, which was carrying a life-saving defibrillator as well as specialist equipment for the Renders’ disabled four-year-old son.

Shaw crashed the car and the pair then abandoned it in Chances Park, but all the things of value that were in it – including the defibrillator, a mobility wheelchair and an adapted pushchair used by the Renders’ son – were never found.

After hearing about their crimes, Judge Peter Davies jailed both defendants.

Jack Troup, prosecuting, said the alarm was raised at 4.30am on January 22 when police spotted the white Honda Civic on Dalston Road, noticing that the driver sped away.

The car had been stolen from outside the Renders’ home in Castlerigg Drive, Morton.

During the police pursuit that followed, the court heard, somebody threw a knitted hat out of the car’s window.

Tests revealed later that it bore traces of Murphy’s DNA.

“The pursuit continued to Chances Park in Carlisle but the officers ceased following the car due to the danger to the public,” said the barrister.

The car was later found abandoned in the park, its rear panels damaged by a collision.

Inside it the police officers found an empty piggy bank, the £100 that had been inside it having disappeared.

The missing defibrillator, worth £875, had been paid for through charitable fundraising by the charity Tic Toc.

The total value of the items which disappeared was £2,294, though this figure excluded the cost of repairing the car, said Mr Troup.

A handbag taken by the burglars from the Renders’ home as the family slept was recovered.

In his police interview, Murphy denied being involved while Shaw repeatedly gave officers the answer: “No comment.”

Both later admitted burglary and aggravated vehicle taking – Shaw on the basis that he drove the car and Murphy on the basis that he allowed himself to be carried as a passenger.

The court heard an outline of the criminal records of both defendants.

Murphy, of Brentfield Way, Penrith, was under a series of suspended sentence orders for battery, criminal damage, and possessing class C drugs with intent.

The record of Shaw, from Merith Avenue, Botcherby, Carlisle, includes aggravated burglary and arson.

Judge Peter Davies told the two that there had to be a jail sentence for the offences.

He locked up Shaw for 20 months and imposed an 18-month driving ban with a 10-month extension to reflect the time he spends in custody.

Judge Davies imposed 26 months custody in a young offenders’ institution for Murphy.

The Tic Toc charity aims to put debrillators across Cumbria.