MEMBERS of a gang behind a raft of stolen vehicles across Staffordshire have been sentenced.
The 11 men were responsible for 43 thefts and attempted thefts of vehicles worth a total of around £1.1million.
Between January and April 2022, the gang targeted Land Rovers, camper vans, Transit vans and quad bikes.
They also took more than 11 Range Rovers between August and October 2023.
An investigation by Staffordshire Police’s CID led to the members of the organised crime group being sentenced at Wolverhampton Crown Court this week:
- Joshua Jackson, 23, of Wolverhampton, has been jailed for six years after he admitted conspiracy to steal motor vehicles.
- Darren Quilt, 28, of Cannock, has been jailed for five years after he admitted two counts of conspiracy to steal motor vehicles.
- Samuel Mansell, 32, of Swadlincote, Derbyshire, has been jailed for three years after he admitted conspiracy to steal motor vehicles.
- Malcolm Halls, 46, of Walsall, has been sentenced to a year and a half in prison after he was found guilty of conspiracy to steal motor vehicles.
- Thomas Cotterill, 31, of Wolverhampton, has been jailed for one year after he admitted conspiracy to steal motor vehicles.
- Joshua Gunter, 21, of Walsall, has been sentenced to one-year imprisonment, suspended for two years, after he was found guilty of conspiracy to steal motor vehicles.
- Gareth Arrowsmith, 45, of Walsall, has been sentenced to one-year imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, after he was found guilty of conspiracy to steal motor vehicles.
- Mitchell Sheridan, 26, of Wolverhampton, has been sentenced to 11 months in prison, suspended for 18 months, after he admitted conspiracy to steal motor vehicles.
- Jake Winters, 29, of Lincolnshire, is due to be sentenced at a later date after he admitted handling stolen goods.
Two other men were sentenced at a separate hearing in December last year.
Detective Constable Steven Davenport said:
“This was a huge investigation involving so many specialists and dedicated officers who have all worked together to put a dangerous gang of criminals before the courts.
“We want to be absolutely clear that vehicle thieves are being targeted robustly, no matter where they go.
“We’re gathering intelligence, speaking to policing colleagues and putting measures in place every day in Staffordshire to go after those involved in the gangs responsible for this type of crime.”
