Trio jailed for £250,000 caravan and van theft spree

[dutchman]

Three Coventry men have been jailed for stealing caravans and vans worth more than a quarter-of-a-million pounds during a crime spree that spanned large swathes of the Midlands.

Seamus McDonagh, aged 57 and David McDonagh, aged 36, both of Ashorne Close, Coventry, and Seamus McGuire, aged 25, formerly of Wappenbury Close, Coventry, were sentenced to a total of 23 years imprisonment when they appeared at Warwick Crown Court.

The sentencing came at the conclusion of a four-year case which began in September 2012.

Andrew Lee from Dunhill Avenue, Coventry, was initially arrested on the M6 after being found towing a stolen caravan taken from Fenny Compton, Warwickshire.

An investigation revealed Lee had been working as the driver for an organised crime gang which was stealing caravans and vans from Leicestershire, Staffordshire, the West Midlands, Warwickshire and Worcestershire.

It was subsequently discovered Seamus McDonagh and his son David had stolen 17 caravans from across the region over a nine-month period.

Police officers spent many months preparing the case, due to the amount of phone data and ANPR evidence, and following consultation with the Crown Prosection Service all five men were charged with conspiracy to steal and rob and dangerous driving.

In May, following a two-and-a-half week trial at Warwick Crown Court, Seamus McDonagh, David McDonagh and Seamus McGuire were found guilty of several theft offences, with David McDonagh and McGuire also convicted of conspiracy to rob.

Seamus McDonagh was sentenced to six years imprisonment, David McDonagh was given a nine year sentence and McGuire was sentenced to eight years in jail.

Lee and May both entered a guilty plea at an earlier hearing, but Lee failed to appear at court for sentencing and a warrant was issued for his arrest.

Detective Constable Richard Zarcone from Rugby CID said: “I am pleased with the result, which demonstrates that we take reports of vehicle theft very seriously and will deal with offenders robustly.

“I’d like to thank all of the witnesses who gave evidence in court, and the analysts who helped with the investigation, as well as the CPS.”