Car Theft Trio Jailed After Crime Spree
Three individuals involved in a major car theft operation have been sentenced after a series of blunders led to their capture. One suspect left a bag containing car keys and cannabis in a coffee shop at a caravan park, while the others were apprehended following unrelated car crashes, at least one of which involved a stolen vehicle.
Despite their chaotic methods, the group managed to steal 82 vehicles, with an average value of £17,000, totalling approximately £1.4 million in stolen property within 6 months (04/2022 to 10/2022). The investigation and subsequent arrests highlight the impact of organised car thefts, even when carried out by individuals lacking professionalism or planning.
One defendant, tearful in court, declared, “I haven’t done nothing.” Though grammatically a double negative—implying the opposite of what he meant—it served as an ironic punctuation mark to the case, given the scale of their operation.
This serves as a stark reminder to UK residents: if this group can obtain vehicles worth over £1 million, the potential risk posed by skilled and organised criminals is substantial!
Source: Liverpool Echo
60 months imprisonment: Sean Fagan – Whitney Road, Woolton
- crashed a stolen Audi, found in possession of 2 cloned keys and a pair of black gloves. At his home … a V5C for a stolen Land Rover, blank number plates and car keys.
- Previous convictions:
- burglary
- assault
- aggravated vehicle taking
- class A drug supply
- cannabis production
- conspiracy to steal motor vehicles – 27-month sentence
60 months imprisonment: Curtis Morrison – 31-year-old – Sparrow Hall Road, Walton
- left a bag of keys, 2 key programming devices, 15 electronic keys & cannabis at a caravan park coffee shop.
- 18 previous convictions:
- robbery
- burglary
- aggravated vehicle taking
- drug supply
33 months imprisonment: Daniel Johnston – Ingrave Road, Walton – ‘… effectively recruited on a fee basis and had no share in the equity’
- crashed a stolen Ford Fiesta
- Previous convictions:
- burglary
- wounding with intent
- attempted robbery
- supplying heroin & cocaine – 45 months imprisonment in 2022
Johnston, reportedly in tears in the dock, is said to have shouted as he was led to the cells: “I haven’t done nothing. I’ve been slammed mate.” … yet all three men admitted conspiracy to steal motor vehicles.