Two social media producers have been handed sentences after taking possessions from the grounds of a countryside property in Oxfordshire.

Adam Bottley and James Andrews attended their sentencing hearing at Oxford Crown Court on April 24.

Bottley, who is 29 and lives on Knights Road in Oxford, along with Andrews, 36, from Slade Close in Headington, pleaded guilty to a single theft charge relating to an incident on May 3 the previous year.

The court heard they removed items such as collectable model trains, garden ornaments and a stone sculpture from a property on Netherton Road in Appleton, close to Abingdon.

Katie McLean, for the prosecution, said the property belonged to a 94-year-old man who had been residing in a care home for several months, leaving the house vacant.

It was explained that Bottley had gone into the property to film content for his urban exploration YouTube channel.

Andrews subsequently arrived and helped Bottley load garden items into his car.

Most items had not been valued, though the total exceeded £2,000. Everything was recovered.

Both men were interviewed by police after their arrest.

Bottley said he had visited to collect an item and had permission to be there. Andrews maintained he was simply assisting Bottley with loading items into the van.

The prosecutor noted that this appeared to have been a planned operation with considerable preparation. Bottley had previously seen the items during his initial visit.

Both understood the property was empty. Both were loading items into the vehicle. The possessions held sentimental value.

James Riley, representing Andrews, said his client played a simple role. He agreed to steal the garden items. Everything was returned.

He accepts his behaviour was foolish. He believed there was little planning involved.

Andrews has 19 previous convictions for 36 offences, including burglaries, robbery and breaches of suspended sentences.

Bottley had no previous convictions.

Judge Michael Roques stressed the pair were being punished for theft, not burglary.

The Judge said police were alerted to a break-in at a property. The owner is an elderly man in a care home who left the property empty.

Witnesses spotted their van and them loading items. The van was stopped and they were apprehended. The items were found.

Bottley had entered the house but took nothing. Both of them knew what was at the property and clearly worked together on this.

Andrews was given a six-month prison sentence, suspended for 18 months, and must perform 150 hours of unpaid work within 12 months.

Bottley received an 18-month community order and must perform 100 hours of unpaid work within 12 months.