North Wales - Gang of burglars targeted isolated farm buildings in North Wales

Published date: 26 October 2015 | 

Published by: Staff reporter
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FOUR men who targeted farm outbuildings in North Wales seeking to steal power tools, have been jailed.

Lee Thomas, 37, of Leighton Court, Connah’s Quay, was sentenced to four years. 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, sitting at Caernarfon Crown Court, imposed a three-year ban.

Jonathan Austin, prosecuting, said just before 5am on June 30, last year, police saw a Honda Accord near Deeside industrial estate. The car was said to have 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. The judge 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.”

Joseph Thomas, 31, of Leighton Court, Connah’s Quay, also pleaded guilty to the plot, and separate theft and burglary charges and was described by the Recorder as “the leading light in this conspiracy.” He was jailed 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 12 months.

The prosecution said properties at Northop, Halkyn, Henllan near Denbigh, near Caernarfon, and St Asaph, were among those targeted.

Oliver King, defending, said Joseph Thomas had completed a “building skills for recovery” programme while in custody and had received a commendation for shielding a woman prison officer during an incident.

Mr King said Thomas had signed over a car for police to sell and 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, said: “He doesn’t accept and isn’t to be sentenced for any part in any wider conspiracy.”

Following the case Det Chief InspNeil Harrison said:“This group were responsible for the targeting of our rural communities on a daily basis. They specifically targeted isolated farms and outbuildings and their activities disrupted the working lives of their victims. It was a lengthy investigation and these sentences reflect the harm that they caused and will ensure that members of the rural community are kept safe and allowed to continue with their working lives unhindered.”

see - http://www.leaderlive.co.uk/news/154150/gang-of-burglars-targeted-isolated-farm-buildings-in-north-wales.aspx