An organised crime gang responsible for 30 commercial burglaries and five vehicle thefts has been jailed for more than 30 years.
The Birkenhead-based crew targeted pubs, restaurants, bus depots, convenience stores, social clubs and even dry cleaners during their crime spree.
In an attempt to evade capture, the gang stole number plates and used them on stolen vehicles when out on crime jobs.
They used a stolen high powered Audi S4 car to target businesses and homes across Chester, Ellesmere Port, Macclesfield, Willaston, Wirral, Kendal, Morecambe, Northop, Wrexham, Oswestry and Newcastle-under-Lyme.
The crime spree took place between August and November last year.
DetectivesTheir crime spree was brought to an end on November 7 last year when officers from Cheshire, Merseyside and the North West Regional Organised Crime Unit raided the suspects' homes.
Stolen property, clothing, tools and mobile phones that linked the men to various burglaries were seized during the raids.
Gary Platt, 43, of Anthorn Close, Noctorum, Birkenhead; Kieran Platt, 25, of Sandalwood Drive, Noctorum, Birkenhead; Joseph Salla, 19, of Oakleaf Mews, Noctorum, Birkenhead; Joshua Wilkinson, 22, of Dalesway, Heswall; Lee Hodgin, 33, of Lansdowne Road, Birkenhead; and Peter Mighall, 45, of no fixed address; were subsequently arrested.
The men all pleaded guilty to conspiracy to committ burglary during a hearing at Chester Crown court on December 6. The gang was sentenced today. The sentences were:
Gary Platt, six years, Kieran Platt, six years, Salla, four years six months, Wilkinson, four years six months, Hodgin, six years and nine months, Mighall, three years and nine months.
Following sentencing, Detective Sergeant Graeme Carvell, who led the investigation, said to the ECHO: “I am delighted that these men are now behind bars facing the consequences of their actions in the form of significant prison sentences.
“Their convictions and sentencing marks the conclusion of what has been a lengthy and complex investigation into a series of burglaries which spanned across numerous police forces in England and Wales.
“Over a three-month period the gang went to great lengths to plan and co-ordinate more than 30 burglaries at houses, pubs, restaurants, convenience stores and other businesses across the UK.
“They stole a car worth £13,000 during a house burglary.
“The group also stole more than £45,000 and caused in excess of £35,000 worth of damage to business premises.
“All of the businesses targeted provide essential services to local communities, and the burglaries have had a profound effect on the owners and their staff.
“The gang had the audacity to burgle the same premises on a number of occasions and used a variety of techniques in a failed attempt to try to cover up their crimes, including concealing their identities and using cloned vehicles.”
Detective Chief Inspector Simon Draco said: “As a result of the excellent work conducted by the dedicated team of detectives here at Cheshire Constabulary, this crime spree has now been brought to an end.
“This case demonstrates our commitment to relentlessly pursuing and bringing to justice organised crime groups who cause so much harm to our communities.”
