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Gang jailed over stolen car sales Gang jailed over luxury car scam
(30 minutes later)
Members of an international gang who made £4.5m selling luxury cars stolen in violent attacks have been sentenced.Members of an international gang who made £4.5m selling luxury cars stolen in violent attacks have been sentenced.
Gang members in London stole more than 190 cars, some at gunpoint others during burglaries. Gang members sold more than 190 cars, some of which were stolen by associates at gunpoint others during burglaries.
Vehicles including Ferraris and Porches were often stolen to order then sold with parts and paperwork from cars written off in Europe.Vehicles including Ferraris and Porches were often stolen to order then sold with parts and paperwork from cars written off in Europe.
Ten London gang members had help from associates in Belgium, Southwark Crown Court heard.Ten London gang members had help from associates in Belgium, Southwark Crown Court heard.
Seven members of the Belgian side of the gang, who dealt with write-offs, have already been sentenced.Seven members of the Belgian side of the gang, who dealt with write-offs, have already been sentenced.
'Distress and loss''Distress and loss'
Judge John Price said: "It was a very substantial conspiracy - not all of the conspirators are in the dock.Judge John Price said: "It was a very substantial conspiracy - not all of the conspirators are in the dock.
"But they [the police] destroyed an enormous organisation that was causing distress and financial loss to innocent people.""But they [the police] destroyed an enormous organisation that was causing distress and financial loss to innocent people."
Although some of the cars were stolen in violent car-jackings with guns of knives being used to threaten drivers, most cars were taken in burglaries. Although some of the cars were stolen in violent car-jackings with guns or knives being used to threaten drivers, most cars were taken in burglaries.
The gang members sentenced were not involved in the thefts but changed the identities of the stolen cars.
Omar Abbas, 36, of New Cross, south-east London, the mechanic who fixed new number plates on the cars and changed parts, was jailed for five years.
'Ruthless' network'Ruthless' network
Omar Abbas, 36, of New Cross, south-east London, was the mechanic who changed the identity of the cars and was jailed for five years. Anthony Holt, 41, a Tube driver, of Sidcup, Kent, who forged 136 DVLA documents, was given a four-year prison term.
Anthony Holt, 41, a Tube driver, of Sidcup, Kent, was the most prolific author of false documents to the DVLA and was given a four-year prison term. The third key member of the gang Robert Taylor, 36, of Peckham, south-east London, was jailed for two-and-a-half years.
The third key member of the gang Robert Taylor, 36, of Peckham, south east London, was jailed for two and a half years after he was linked to the thefts and sale of the cars. All three were sentenced for conspiracy to defraud.
During the trial the court heard that Holt forged documents for at least 136 cars and submitted them to DVLA.
He also involved his girlfriend, Emma Rayfield, 32, a trainee police officer of Sidcup, Kent.
She admitted three counts of forgery and was given 75 hours of community service.
Others jailed Michael Kingsley, 40, of Brockley, south east London - 15 months jailJason Okoh, 32, of South Norwood, south London - one year jailMark Danlardy, 32, of East Dulwich, south east London - 18 months jailTerrance Harding, 31, of Colliers Wood, south west London - nine months jail
Robert Taylor, 36, of Peckham, south-east London, was linked to the theft and sale of cars worth more than £300,000 and also recruited DVLA official David Adams, who worked in Sidcup, Kent.
Adams, 31, who admitted corruption is now a security guard in Bexleyheath, south-east London, was given 200 hours community service.
Det Ch Insp Stuart Dark, head of the Met's stolen vehicle unit, said: "This was a particularly ruthless organised criminal network.Det Ch Insp Stuart Dark, head of the Met's stolen vehicle unit, said: "This was a particularly ruthless organised criminal network.
"The upper echelon of the network directed others to engage in excessive violence through robberies or burglaries with no regard for the trauma and anguish caused to their victims.""The upper echelon of the network directed others to engage in excessive violence through robberies or burglaries with no regard for the trauma and anguish caused to their victims."
Mathew Wilson, 52, of Orpington, south London, was handed a 12 month suspended prison sentence last month. The other gang members sentenced were:
  • Emma Rayfield, 32, of Sidcup, Kent, who was a police trainee at the time, admitted three counts of forgery and dishonest handling and was sentenced to 75 hours community service
  • Michael Kingsley, 40, of Brockley, south-east London admitted conspiracy to dishonestly handle and was sentenced to 15 months in prison
  • Jason Okoh, 32, of South Norwood, south London, admitted conspiracy to defraud and was sentenced to one year in prison.
  • Mark Danlardy, 32, of East Dulwich, south-east London, admitted conspiracy to defraud and was sentenced to 18 months in prison
  • Terrance Harding, 31, of Colliers Wood, south-west London, admitted conspiracy to dishonestly handle and was sentenced to nine months in prison
  • DVLA official David Adams, 31, now a security guard of Barnhurst, Kent, admitted corruption in a public office and was sentenced to 200 hours community service
  • Matthew Wilson, 52, of Orpington, Kent, admitted dishonest handling and was sentenced to a 12-month suspended prison sentence last month