Conman Stephen Probert, 40, and girlfriend Vicky Banks, 31, were on the run for two years
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A CON-TRICK couple who stole £250,000 in cars were behind bars today after being shown on TV's Crimewatch.
Conman Stephen Probert, 40, and girlfriend Vicky Banks, 31, were on the run for two years - before the TV appeal helped cops catch the couple.
A court heard Probert and Banks posed as a couple hoping to buy a new car - before stealing high-value vehicles from garages and outside homes.
More than 27 cars including an Audi A3 and a Volkswagen Golf, both worth £10,000, were stolen around Britain between June 2013 and October 2014 before police were alerted.
Four of Probert's criminal gang were arrested, but ringleader Probert and Banks went on the run leading to police putting out an appeal on BBC One's Crimewatch programme.
Tip offs from the public helped officers apprehend the criminal couple, who were living in Cyprus and travelling back to Wales to conduct their theft operation.
Probert pleaded guilty to conspiracy to steal motor vehicles at Newport Crown Court, where Judge David Wynn Morgan called him "a devious and manipulative criminal".
Probert, from Blackwood, was jailed for one year and eight months. He is already serving 16 years for conspiracy to steal motor cars and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.
Banks, also from Blackwood, was given an eight-month jail sentence, suspended for two years.
Gang members Samantha Wright, 28, of Mountain Ash, was bailed for a pre-sentence hearing; Keri Davies, 31, of Risca, and Anthony Woodington, 40, of Maerdy, were jailed for eight months.
Neil Roberts, 33, of Trebanog, and Kelly Stephens, 32, from Risca, were each given a one year community order.
Read more at http://www.southwales-eveningpost.co.uk/couple-on-the-run-after-stealing-27-cars-worth-250-000-are-finally-behind-bars/story-30117637-detail/story.html#uS6vDLeqGUtL4AM3.99
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