Gang of three burglars sentenced after rural crime spree
Three burglars who travelled across Norfolk and Suffolk targeting farms and rural properties have been sentenced.
The group, who were based in Swaffham, committed burglaries and thefts in rural areas between August 2018 and February 2019, making off with goods worth thousands of pounds.
A series of robberies and break-ins in the Breckland and West Norfolk areas last summer prompted increased police patrols under a dedicated policing operation called Kingbird, targeting an organised crime group (OCG).
John Watson, 32 and of no fixed abode; Tony Gaskin, 21, of Tennyson Road, Rushden in Northamptonshire; and a 17-year-old male who cannot be named for legal reasons, were each charged with conspiracy to burgle and conspiracy to steal between August 2018 and February 2019. All defendants pleaded guilty at earlier hearings and were sentenced at Norwich Crown Court today (Tuesday 12 November 2019).
Watson was jailed for three years and Gaskin will serve 18 months in prison. The 17-year-old received a 12-month youth rehabilitation order.
Investigating officer, Detective Constable Alex Gilmour, said:
In August last year, the group targeted a farm in Hawkedon, Suffolk, stealing an anvil worth £200 as well as properties in Hindolveston and Langham in Norfolk, where tools and a quad bike were stolen.
In Wolferton on September 7 the group broke into a workshop, stealing a generator, quadbike and tools worth £10,000 and targeted a property in Scarning on 19 September stealing tools and a quad bike.
The defendants went to a farm in Necton on 24 September and entered a barn, before accessing a John Deer 4x4 Gator vehicle, which triggered a security alarm, alerting the farmer who went to inspect the barn. Shortly after arriving he witnessed three men leave the barn and get in a car which he followed a short time before losing them. CCTV captured all three suspects leaving the scene and resulted in all being identified by officers.
In October the trio committed offences in Burnham Deepdale, Ashill and Great Dunham, stealing in excess of £20,000 of tools, climbing equipment and a Ford Ranger.
Local policing commander, Inspector Jon Papworth, who led Operation Kingbird, said: