Two brothers have been jailed after stealing high-value cars in a crime spree across three counties. Samuel and Thomas Eddleston had a device which allowed them to get into and drive Range Rovers and Jaguars.
The 'sophisticated' conspiracy involved the theft of 12 vehicles - also including an Audi - worth a total of £472,141 between September and November 2021. The Eddleston brothers took 11 of the vehicles from Greater Manchester, Cheshire and Stoke-on-Trent.
And they drove five vehicles to Essex on cloned plates where they were stripped for parts. Now Samuel Eddleston, aged 29, has been jailed for 29 months and 28-year-old Thomas Eddleston has been locked up for 27 months at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court. A third man is still to be sentenced.
Join our WhatsApp Top Stories and Breaking News group by clicking this link
The brothers were arrested at their home in Union Street, Hanley, on November 25, 2021. A search discovered a key fob and a device capable of starting cars. Both defendants pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to steal and handling stolen goods. Thomas Eddleston also admitted possession of a CS canister.
Jason Holt, mitigating for Samuel, said his client committed the thefts for financial gain. He added: "He has served prison time for supplying drugs and did not want to go back to that type of behaviour. But when released he found every door was closed to him. He was unable to get employment. He was left in a situation where nobody wanted to help him. He did try to work in car sales but his mental health was such that he was unable to deal with the general public."
But Mr Holt added: "There is now a very real prospect of rehabilitation. He shows remorse. There would be harmful impact on his partner and new-born son if he went to prison."
Stuart Muldoon, representing Thomas, said: "He accepts he believed this was a get-rich scheme. There was some financial benefit. It was limited. Most of the vehicles were recovered a few days after they were taken.
"A significant time has elapsed without him committing further offending. He is adamant this is going to be his last appearance before any court. He has tried to turn things around and has committed no further offences."
Judge Graeme Smith told the brothers: "This was a sophisticated conspiracy. It involved devices which programmed key fobs to enable the vehicles to be taken. They were taken from a wide geographical area, from Stoke-on-Trent, Greater Manchester and Cheshire.
"You both knew full well what you were doing. You took a conscious decision to act in this way, in the knowledge it was highly illegal. Your roles were significant."
For more of today's top stories click here.
READ NEXT:
