Shropshire burglary gang jailed for total of 11 years

Simon Davies, Leroy Currens and Luke Talbot admitted breaking into five houses across the county during a 16-day spree in the summer, stealing about £18,000 worth of goods.

Davies, 35, of Rushbury Road, Wellington, was sentenced to five years while Currens, 32, of Bromley Way, Telford, received three-and-a-half years.

Talbot, 21, of Vauxhall Crescent, Newport, was sentenced to two-and-a-half years.

Mr Gerry Quirke, prosecuting, said the break-ins took place between April 23 and May 9 last year. The first was at a property in Hollins Lane in Market Drayton.

The gang struck again four days later when they made off with a Mini Cooper and £300 cash from a house in Whitchurch.

Just days later the three stole about £2,185 worth of jewellery from a house in Horsehay, Telford, and then on May 4 they targeted a property in Crudgington Green, Crudgington, stealing a £475 laptop.

They also burgled a property near Nantwich, taking jewellery worth £5,095.

The three men admitted five counts of burglary at an earlier hearing.

Talbot also admitted two counts of handling stolen goods after items were found at a caravan he lived in at the time.

Judge Peter Barrie, sentencing, told the men: "You carried out untidy searches and stole whatever of value you could find."

The men were arrested on May 22 when police saw them driving slowly past a house in a Land Rover Discovery.

Mr Quirke said the Land Rover sped off and was pursued for eight miles before the three were arrested.

Mr Brian Dean said his client, Currens, had a nine-week old child with a heart condition. Mr Michael Anning, for Talbot, said his client had acted out of character, and Mr Simon Rogers, said his client, Davies, had shown remorse.

They were cleared of going equipped for burglary and conspiracy to commit burglary.

By Sean Wozencroft