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Gang jailed over luxury car scam 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 sold more than 190 cars, some of which were stolen by associates 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 identifying 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 in 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 or 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. The gang members sentenced were involved in changing the identities of the stolen cars or selling them.
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. This was a particularly ruthless organised criminal network Det Ch Insp Stuart Dark
'Ruthless' network The police were unable to identify those who actually stole the cars or those behind the violence.
The cars' identities were expertly changed with new computer chips and identification plates.
They even fooled inspectors from motoring organisations.
Vehicles were sold to national dealerships, through trade publications and on eBay.
Omar Abbas, 36, of New Cross, south-east London, the mechanic who fixed new number plates and changed the identifying parts, was jailed for five years.
'Excessive violence'
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, who forged 136 DVLA documents, 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.
All three were sentenced for conspiracy to defraud.All three were sentenced for conspiracy to defraud.
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."
The other gang members sentenced were: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
    • 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
    • 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.
    • 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
    • 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
    • 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
    • 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
    • Matthew Wilson, 52, of Orpington, Kent, admitted dishonest handling and was sentenced to a 12-month suspended prison sentence last month