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11
Mar 2022
Four men jailed for Harrogate district burglary spree
Four men have been jailed for a spate of burglaries across the Harrogate district, which included the theft of thousands of pounds worth of cars and a motorbike.
Chaz England, Nathan Lofthouse, Bailey Townend and Ainsley West were sentenced at York Crown Court yesterday.
England, 32, of Harrogate, Lofthouse, 20, of Harrogate, Townend, 19, of Ripon and West, formerly of Harrogate, appeared via video link from custody in Hull.
They admitted to the burglaries, which took place between December 2019 and August 2021.
Prosecutor Michael Cahill told the court that the crimes were sophisticated and planned.
Mr Cahill told the court how Townend, who was charged with two counts of burglaries, three thefts of motor vehicles and possession of cannabis, had stolen two cars in Knaresborough at a value of £15,000.
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Townend, 19, stole the Skoda and Mercedes from Bransdale Grove, along with a handbag containing a £20 note.
He went onto commit a similar offence on South Park Road in Harrogate in August last year, in which he stole a “rare motorbike” worth £11,000.
Mr Cahill told the court that Lofthouse, 20, burgled a property on Bogs Lane in Harrogate on December 22, 2019.
He stole a laptop bag, which did not include a computer but had sensitive NHS information, and two coats. Lofthouse also attempted to steal a Jaguar worth more than £10,000.
The court heard how England, 22, broke into a home on Stonefall Avenue, Harrogate, on Boxing Day 2019 to steal an iPhone7 worth £200, £800 in cash, five watches, a £300 chainsaw and two handbags.
England also stole a Ford transit van, which was later found abandoned with a flat tyre by police.
Stun gun
England was also convicted of possessing a stun gun, which is a prohibited weapon, and possession of cannabis following a search of his home.
Mr Cahill told the court that on August 2, 2020, West, 20, stole the number plates from a Fiat Punto at a property in Leeds before later using them on another vehicle from Knaresborough.
He was also convicted of attempting to steal a handbag, which included a police warrant card, and wallet from a property in York.
Mitigating for Townend, Shafqat Khan told the court that he had been remanded in custody since August 2021 and had “demonstrated maturity” while in custody.
The court also heard that Lofthouse had shown maturity while on remand. Ian Hudson, defending Lofthouse, said he had gained employment and “hoped to build on that”.
Didn't get chance to say goodbye to children
Christopher Dunn, mitigating for England, told York Crown Court that he wanted to get on the “straight and narrow”.
He said:
Ashleigh Metcalfe, defending for West, told the court that he was the first to enter his plea which afforded him “some credit”.
She added that West had two children who he did not get the chance to say goodbye to when he was remanded in custody.
She said:
The defence for all defendants suggested community orders and suspended sentences as punishment.
However, sentencing the four men, Judge Morris said:
Townend was sentenced to four years and three months. Lofthouse was jailed for 17 months and England for 28 months.
West was jailed for four years and seven months.
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