A TAXI driver tipped off a gang of men who then burgled his customers' homes while they were out.
Kasid Hussain and five other men have been jailed for nearly 19 years in total after admitting burglary or conspiracy to commit burglary offences.
Nottingham Crown Court heard more than ten properties, mainly around the Rushcliffe borough area, were targeted by Hussain's associates after he'd informed them the addresses were unoccupied.
After dropping off passengers Kasid Hussain would contact his friend Nabeel Hussain, passing on information about his customers' properties that would then be distributed to other men who committed the burglaries.
A number of cars were stolen using keys taken from the properties, along with handbags and electrical items.
Kasid Hussain, 27, of Wilford Crescent East, Wilford, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary between August 5 and October 10 last year. He was jailed for 53 months.
Nabeel Hussain, 26, of Loughborough Road, West Bridgford, also admitted conspiracy to commit burglary and was sentenced to 36 months in prison.
Brothers Ian Barnes, 21, and Liam Barnes, 24, both of Hawton Crescent, Wollaton, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary on the same dates and were jailed for 54 and 30 months respectively.
Two men also pleaded guilty to burglary.
Cornelius Duggan, 23, of Hartness Road, Clifton, was jailed for two years, while Gary Cooper, 26, of Stanley Road, Forest Fields, was given 876 days in prison.
A sixth man, James Ferebee, of Summerwood Lane, Clifton, pleaded guilty to burglary.
Ferebee, who is also known as James Footitt, was given a six month prison sentence, to be suspended for 18 months, and ordered to carry out 200 hours unpaid work.
Detective Sergeant Paul Cash, of Notts Police, led the investigation into the case.
It was part of Operation Cordoba, which was set up to investigate organised car key burglaries.
DS Cash said: "Kasid Hussain was instrumental in providing information about his customers which enabled others to burgle their homes.
"It was an abuse of a position of trust, with unsuspecting fares chatting to him about their plans, not realising they were setting themselves up to become a victim of crime.
"We became involved after a victim reported an attempted burglary after nipping home in Hussain's taxi to get money.
"The victim was convinced the taxi driver was involved and so we began an in-depth investigation which linked Hussain's journeys to a spate of burglaries. We were then able to identify his associates."
