Four men sent to prison for a year each for their part in targeted raids that culminated in high speed police chase
Four thieves who targeted farm outbuildings across North Wales to thousands of pounds’ worth of power tools have been jailed.
Lee Thomas, 37, of Leyton Court, Connah’s Quay , was sentenced to a total of four years in prison. He admitted conspiracy to burgle, dangerous driving, failing to provide a breath test, burglary, attempted burglary, theft, and breach of a restraining order.
Recorder Duncan Bould at Caernarfon crown court imposed a three-year ban.
Prosecuting counsel Jonathan Austin said just before 5am on June 30, last year, police saw a Honda Accord near Deeside industrial estate. The car allegedly reached up to 100mph and the driving was erratic before the pursuit ended.
The judge told Thomas there could have been a “catastrophic” accident and he had been drunk.
He had then been involved in the conspiracy, for financial gain. Recorder Bould said :”The conspiracy and the offences you and your brother Joseph committed are a series of offences of burglary and theft which targeted largely isolated premises, the outbuildings and garages, targeting items to steal - high-value power tools in the main.”
He said: ”You were working as a team. You were prepared to risk contact and/or confrontation with individuals working or living at the premises.”
Joseph Thomas, 31, of Leighton Court, Connah’s Quay, also pleaded guilty to the plot, and separate theft and burglary charges. He was described by the judge as “the leading light in this conspiracy.” He was locked up for 40 months.
James Gallagher, 20, of Dock Road, Connah’s Quay, a landscape gardener with no previous convictions, admitted conspiracy involving two burglaries at farms, and was sentenced to twelve months in custody.
The prosecution said properties at Northop , Halkyn , Henllan near Denbigh , nearCaernarfon , and St Asaph , were among those targeted.
Defence counsel Oliver King said Joseph Thomas had completed a “building skills for recovery” programme while in custody. He’d received a commendation for shielding a woman prison officer from a group.
Mr King said Thomas had signed over a 2011 Vauxhall Astra for police to sell.
The barrister said Lee Thomas had three children and urged that a suspended sentence be imposed.
Anna Pope, counsel for Gallagher, said he was 18 at the time of his first offence and 19 by his second. He had been involved with drink and drugs.
Martin-tom Doherty, 22, of Riverside caravan park, Queensferry , who worked for a paving company, was jailed for eight months. He admitted, with others, burglary of a farm outbuilding at Caerwys and stealing two strimmers and piping in August last year.
Rob Lancaster, defending Doherty, who is married, said :”He doesn’t accept and isn’t to be sentenced for any part in any wider conspiracy.”
Following the case detective chief inspector Neil Harrison said:“This group were responsible for the targeting of our rural country side.
For full story see - http://www.dailypost.co.uk/news/north-wales-news/gang-jailed-power-tool-thefts-10328344
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