Adult thieves were 'afraid' of teenagers
MEMBERS of a gang which targeted taxis in a string of thefts claimed they were ‘intimidated’ into breaking the law by their younger accomplices.
Simon Jones, 22, and Stuart Gee, 18, appeared jointly accused at Burton Magistrates’ Court.
Jones, of Bridge Street, Tutbury, pleaded guilty to two counts of theft from a motor vehicle and one count of vehicle interference.
Items taken included a BlackBerry mobile phone and a a satellite navigation system as well as £25 cash.
Gee, of Uxbridge Street, Burton, admitted stealing a satellite navigation system and charger, as well as a charge of vehicle interference and handling stolen goods.
Emma Thompson, prosecuting, said: “There have been four defendants in total charged with a series of thefts from motor vehicles between September 28 and October 14.
“Over that period, a total of 15 offences have been committed in the Burton area.
“These aren’t the two main instigators.” She said the majority of the vehicles targeted were taxis and the other two accused were both juveniles, so were being dealt with separately at youth court.
John Skinner, defending Gee, said his client was ‘fearful of the consequences’ if he did not go along with the other members of the gang.
He said Gee had been a ‘scout’ for the others — going out and finding cars which had been left unlocked and then reporting back to the gang.
Mr Skinner said that since being arrested, his client had turned over a new leaf and found religion.
“He had already had some contact with the Mormon church and as a result of this he began to get more involved with the church,” he said.
Neil O’Driscoll, defending Jones, said his client had also felt ‘under duress’ to commit the offences. He said Jones wanted to start a new life by moving away from Burton and the other people involved in the crimes.
“My client got absolutely nothing for being involved,” Mr O’Driscoll said.
Both men were sentenced to 18-month community orders with supervision requirements and ordered to undertake 60 hours of unpaid work and pay court costs of £85 each.
Gee was ordered to take part in a ‘thinking skills programme’ and to pay compensation of £150.
Jones was told he had to complete an ‘emotional wellbeing’ course, as well as to pay compensation of £420.
