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Five jailed for biggest burglary Five jailed for biggest burglary
(40 minutes later)
Five men from the same family have been jailed for up to 11 years each for raids on stately homes, including Britain's biggest burglary.Five men from the same family have been jailed for up to 11 years each for raids on stately homes, including Britain's biggest burglary.
Police estimates put their haul in excess of £30m but art experts say it could be at least three times that. Police estimates put their haul in excess of £30m but art experts say it could be at least three times as much.
The five members of the Worcestershire-based Johnson traveller family, stole in several counties. The five members of the Johnson family, travellers based in Worcestershire, operated across several counties.
The judge described a raid at Ramsbury Manor, near Marlborough, Wiltshire, as the UK's biggest ever private burglary.The judge described a raid at Ramsbury Manor, near Marlborough, Wiltshire, as the UK's biggest ever private burglary.
Prosecutor Paul Reid described the men as an "extensive and highly organised gang" who were "ruthless in their intention to acquire high-value property". Details of the case were only revealed on Wednesday after reporting restrictions were finally lifted.
Paul Reid, prosecuting, described the men as an "extensive and highly organised gang" who were "ruthless in their intention to acquire high-value property".
Richard "Chad" Johnson, 33, and Daniel O'Loughlin, 32, were both jailed for 11 years, Michael Nicholls, 29, was given 10 years, Albi Johnson, 25, was jailed for nine years and 54-year-old Ricky Johnson was given eight years.Richard "Chad" Johnson, 33, and Daniel O'Loughlin, 32, were both jailed for 11 years, Michael Nicholls, 29, was given 10 years, Albi Johnson, 25, was jailed for nine years and 54-year-old Ricky Johnson was given eight years.
They were all found guilty of conspiracy to commit burglary between 8 April 2005 and 13 October 2006 following a month-long trial at Reading Crown Court.They were all found guilty of conspiracy to commit burglary between 8 April 2005 and 13 October 2006 following a month-long trial at Reading Crown Court.
Judge Christopher Critchlow described the case as "one of the most serious examples of conspiracy to burgle ever to come before the court".
The gang targeted Ramsbury Manor, in WiltshireThe gang targeted Ramsbury Manor, in Wiltshire
Police say the gang has been operating in the south of England for 20 years. Police say the gang, based at a caravan park in Evesham, had been operating in the south of England for 20 years.
The men would stake out targeted properties, sometimes for weeks. They would stake out targeted properties, sometimes for weeks.
Their raids would last just minutes, with the balaclava-clad escaping in stolen cars.Their raids would last just minutes, with the balaclava-clad escaping in stolen cars.
The raid on Ramsbury Manor, home of property tycoon Harry Hyams, is thought to be the most valuable domestic burglary every committed in Britain. The raid on Ramsbury Manor, home of property tycoon Harry Hyams, is thought to be the most valuable domestic burglary ever committed in Britain.
"The collection is described as priceless," Mr Reid said. Mr Reid said: "The collection is described as priceless.
"There is a difficulty in putting a value on antiques and antiquities - some of them very precious and very rare - but it is tens of millions of pounds.""There is a difficulty in putting a value on antiques and antiquities - some of them very precious and very rare - but it is tens of millions of pounds."
Two months after the raid, police found about a third of the haul in an underground bunker in a field. Two months after the raid police found about a third of the haul in an underground bunker in a field.
The gang's other victims included Formula One advertising tycoon Paddy McNally and Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire Sir Philip Wroughton.The gang's other victims included Formula One advertising tycoon Paddy McNally and Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire Sir Philip Wroughton.
Items worth £100,000 were stolen from Sir Philip's home in Chaddleworth, Berkshire, when it was raided twice in 12 months.
Cases of this gravity must attract heavy sentences because of the deliberate criminality, organisation and sophistication of their planning and the effect on the occupants Judge Christopher Critchlow In the burglary of Stanton Harcourt Manor, a 14th Century home in Witney, Oxfordshire, Albi Johnson leapt from a first-floor window to escape when challenged and broke both his legs.
He told doctors treating him in hospital he had fallen off his brother's garage roof.
The gang also targeted shops, in one night netting about £140,000 worth of televisions, china and glassware from three Worcestershire stores.
Five police forces were involved in the investigation, codenamed Operation Haul.
Officers described the gang as "forensically aware", leaving little or no trace of themselves at the scenes of their crimes.
Sentencing the men, Judge Critchlow said: "Cases of this gravity must attract heavy sentences because of the deliberate criminality, organisation and sophistication of their planning and the effect on the occupants."
He added: "Little of the property has been recovered and is no doubt well hidden in the countryside or passed on for disposal.
"You have no respect for people's property or the law so I have no alternative but to impose severe sentences."