Brothers jailed after stealing tools and goods from vans and businesses

Shane Parker, 24, and Wayne Parker, 25, of Sandacres Caravan site, and Richard Parker, 32, of Dixons Hill Road in Hatfield, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to steal and burgle.

They were sentenced to three and a half years each at Chelmsford Crown Court on Friday (June 21).

In September and November 2018, the brothers used stolen Audi cars to travel between counties in the east of England.

They stole tools from vans parked in hotels in Dunstable, Luton, Braintree, and Hemel Hempstead and broke into business properties in Basildon, Chelmsford, and St Albans.

The total value of goods stolen was estimated at being between £75,000 and £99,000.

To avoid being caught, the brothers changed the number plates on the cars and returned the stolen vehicle to a hiding place in Essex and travel home in their personal cars.

Judge Jonathan Seely said: "The offences were motivated by greed and they didn't give a tuppence about their actions."

The items were sold to a stolen goods handler in Dunstable, James Nevin. Nevin, 34, of Winslow Road in Milton Keynes, was also sentenced to jail for 10 months on Friday.

Detective Inspector Andy Duddle, from the Eastern Region Special Operations Unit said: “These three men wreaked havoc on areas across the eastern region, committing crimes daily in a ruthless and indiscriminate manner.

“On some occasions it’s believed they committed more than 30 offences in one night.

“Stealing tools from vehicles and breaking into business properties are far from victimless crimes.

“The types of items the brothers were stealing were high value power tools which cost a lot to replace and which some people rely upon in order to be able to do their job and bring in a wage.

“We’re committed to tackling cross border acquisitive crime such as this across the east of England as we recognise the serious impact this has on people on businesses, so we’re glad the four men are now facing justice.”