Youths jailed for burglaries

Luton Crown Court heard how the four men, aged between 18 and 23, would wait until occupants were asleep before breaking into their property to steal high value electrical items and cars to order.

The gang targeted properties across Barton, Westoning, Harlington, Luton, Caddington, Leighton Buzzard, Dunstable, Kensworth and Houghton Regis between August 2009 and January 2010.

The group were eventually arrested in mid January 2010 following a police operation.

On several occasions the gang would take car keys from the victims’ house before using them to steal cars from the driveway - a VW Passat stolen from a burglary in Dunstable was later discovered in Poland.

Having all pleaded guilty to a number of burglary-related charges, the four men received hefty sentences.

• Lloyd Frater of Lancotbury Close, Totternhoe, was given an indeterminate sentence after admitting eight counts of conspiracy to commit burglary.

The 23-year-old was also sentenced for one count of aggravated burglary and must serve a minimum of five years in prison before being eligible parole.

• Daniel Towers, 20, of Kimberley Close in Luton, was jailed for four years, having admitted nine counts of conspiracy to commit burglary.

• Ashley Wright, 18, of Meadow Way in Leighton Buzzard, was jailed for four years having admitted eight counts of conspiracy to commit burglary.

• Tayler Oddboy, also 18, of Purcell Road in Luton was jailed for four years, having admitted five counts of conspiracy to commit burglary and one count of handling stolen property.

Sentencing them Judge Jeffrey Burke QC said: “This was an organised and sustained campaign and in nearly all of the houses families were sleeping at the time.

“You had no regard for the trauma and distress that burglary brings.”

Police were able to use mobile phone analysis to place the gang at the crime scenes - which were in locations far away from their homes.

After the case, Detective Sergeant, Sean Quinn said: “This result reflects the excellent investigation skills carried out by a dedicated small team of officers from the Dunstable Burglary Team.

“It involved three months of painstaking enquiries with officers working long hours to ensure a positive result.

“The work invested in this case illustrates our commitment to tackling burglaries.

“It sends out a strong message to criminals that Bedfordshire Police will not tolerate this type of crime and offenders will be brought to justice.”