Ellesmere man jailed for role in rural raids

A 36-year-old Shropshire man who was part of a gang which stole a £27,000 haul including a caravan and quad bike in rural night-time raids has been jailed for three years.

Robert Tebay, of Smithfield Way, Ellesmere, was part of a group which targeted properties in the Oswestry and Shrewsbury areas earlier this year which also saw a trailer and hedge trimmer taken.

The gang's operations were described as 'professional burglaries' at Shrewsbury Crown Court yesterday.

The court was told the group's activities were exposed by CCTV footage showing a convoy of vehicles towing a caravan towards Oswestry.

Tebay had previously admitted four counts of burglary relating to a raid at Mile House Farm in Oswestry between February 12 and 15 and one count of theft for an incident at Broughton Cottages, near Shrewsbury, on March 2, and was sentenced to three years in prison at yesterday's hearing.

The court was told Tebay was part of a gang which carried out the crime, but was not the main organiser.

Mr Andrew Barkley, prosecuting, said the incidents happened at night and a trailer, quad bike, hedge trimmer, and caravan were among the items taken.

He said: "These were professional burglaries, with a high degree of planning."

He added CCTV footage showed a convoy of vehicles towing the caravan in Oswestry, while DNA belonging to Tebay was found at the scene near Shrewsbury.

The court heard that in the theft near Shrewsbury the CCTV system was "wrenched" from its housing.

Mr Andrew Holland, for Tebay, said: "He has been easily led. The financial gain he made was minimal.

"He was not the main offender in this case, but he's equally culpable. He has a lot of growing up to do.

Judge Robin Onions said: "You are not a man of good character. You have been offending now for somewhere in the region of 22 years.

"You are not a violent man. You are a thoroughly dishonest man. I accept you were not the main organiser and didn't provide the vehicles. But the aggravating features are clear."

By James Pugh