Sara Cox helps convict two thieves after tweeting CCTV of them raiding her brother's house

The Radio 2 DJ posted images of unemployed brothers Gary and Barry Foulkes raiding the garage of businessman Robert Cox, 53, before making off with £720 worth of gardening equipment. 

The brothers, who are both drug addicts, were arrested less than 24 hours after Ms Cox, 40, asked her 750,000 Twitter followers to help hunt down the pair. 

She wrote: "These lads are robbing my brothers @rcoxART house thurs night, Bolton/Ainsworth area. DO YOU RECOGNISE THEM? pls RT"

And on another occasion she wrote: "Look, more pics of the lads stealing from my big bro's house the gits. Who are they? Pls RT. Bolton/Ainsworth area"

Gary, 33, who has clocked up 111 earlier offences including several burglaries, was locked up for 16 weeks.

While his brother Barry, 28, who has previous convictions for handling stolen goods and a caution of burglary, got 12 weeks after both admitted burglary. 

The pair, both from Bolton in Greater Manchester, were each ordered to pay £360 compensation.

Bury Magistrates Court how how the pair raided Mr Cox's garage at his Bolton gated property on January 8 after the artist, who also runs a travel company, had finished up some painting work.

Prosecuting Martin Brogan said: "He returned at 9am and noticed a number of items missing - two hedge trimmers, chain saw and leaf sucker to the value of £720. 

"His property is covered by CCTV and he reviewed the CCTV and saw two people climbing over the wall from the public footpath. 

"After reviewing the CCTV footage he called the police. The items stolen have not be recovered." 

The Foulkes brothers were identified as the culprits shortly after Miss Cox's tweet were posted and was re-tweeted 4,000 times. 

In police interview both brothers admitted having a drug problem.

Defence lawyer Leanne Hurst said Barry, who lives alone on benefits in rented accommodation, suffered from depression having been a drug addict since the age of 24.

She added: "He tells me he is sorry for his actions and understands his behaviour is unacceptable. By its very nature this is a serious allegation - but it is not the most serious of its kind. 

"There was no significant damage caused or any ransacking. I would argue that it may not be a significant loss to the victim. 

"There is certainly no damage caused in terms of monetary value.

"He tells me he does have issues in relation to drugs, in particular heroin. He tells me at the time of this certain offence he was using heroin and gave this as the reason for the offence. He tells me he is able to be drug free and tells me this is what he wants." 

Miss Hurst said Gary, who lives with his pregnant partner, had been "self medicating" with heroin after injuring his hand.

She added: "He again understands there is no excuse for his behaviour and he is remorseful for his actions. 

"There is the option for employment as a labourer but this is dependent on the outcome of this court case."

Passing sentence Dennis Hilton chairman of the bench said: "We consider that this has crossed the custodial threshold and we have taken an account of the significant loss to the victim and prior convictions." 

At the time the brothers' arrest Miss Cox, who presents Sound of the 80s on BBC Radio 2 on Saturday evenings, thanked her followers. 

She tweeted: "You're all brilliant. Thanks to all the retweets - 2 suspects now in custody. My bro @rcoxART & I super grateful. Thanks @gmpolice too."