Two-year car crime spree ends in jail

The prolific gang of two brothers and two sisters from Salisbury and one other stole tens of thousands of pounds' worth of goods from cars over a two-year period.

They were only caught after a huge operation involving six police forces, believed to be one of the largest of its kind in British criminal history for this offence.

The gang were David Wells and Victoria Cooper, of Orcheston, near Salisbury, Gary Wells, of Maryland Close, Salisbury, and Valerie Cooper, of Randalls Croft Road, Wilton, along with Michael Stafford, of Ferndown.

They struck at locations at Alfred's Tower, Warminster; Rockley Downs, near Marlborough; the Hill Locks car park, Devizes; Silbury Hill, Avebury, and Nether Wallop.

The gang targeted Butts Hill, Salisbury; Bratton, near Westbury; Brookdale, near Salisbury; Middle Woodford, near Amesbury; East Knoyle, Stonehenge and Coombe Bissett.

They also broke into cars in Surrey, Hampshire, Dorset, Somerset and Devon.

During their illicit operation, the gang changed cars 27 times to avoid detection.

On some occasions, they posed as birdwatchers.

But, after watching their victims leave their vehicles, they would then smash the windows and grab what they could from the cars.

Two of the gang were caught after an alert nature lover became suspicious when the 'birdwatchers' started looking in the wrong direction for wildlife at one beauty spot.

The three others were eventually arrested in January this year, after police launched an undercover surveillance operation.

The most prolific offender, David Wells (27), was jailed for four-and-a-half years.

Partners in crime Victoria Cooper (31) and Michael Stafford (32) were each given 15 months in prison.

Gary Wells (32) and Valerie Cooper (42) walked free from court with community punishment orders.

They pleaded guilty to 33 theft offences but police said this was the "tip of the iceberg" and they believe the gang was responsible for hundreds of other crimes.

Bournemouth Crown Court heard how their two-year crime spree began in January 2001.

Charles Gabb, prosecuting, said the gang targeted beauty spots because they were not covered by CCTV and were remote.

They would drive to a particular area and then park up at car parks and wait for their victims.

Mr Gabb said: "When they set out on a particular day, they did so knowing very well what they were doing.

"They preyed on innocent members of the public who were trying to enjoy themselves by going to beauty spots.

"They were persistent and determined, and they viewed police interference as an occupational hazard."

Referring to one of the gang's typical crimes, Mr Gabb said: "On April 26, 2001, Katie Sawyer noticed a red Vauxhall Cavalier car with David Wells and Victoria Cooper in it at Chideock in Dorset.

"She thought this was a bit odd as people normally get out of their cars and head off into the hills.

"They sat there and watched as Mrs Sawyer put her handbag under a blanket in the boot of her VW Golf.

"Mrs Sawyer left to go on a walk but, when she got back, her handbag had been stolen and her tyre slashed, and the red Vauxhall car gone.

"Mrs Sawyer returned to the same spot on June 7 and saw the same Vauxhall Cavalier.

"This time she was much more wary and stayed in her car.

"She saw David Wells going to other vehicles and look in them.

"He came within ten feet of her and, when he realised she was watching, he said, 'I'll kick your head in' and left."

As well as at Chideock, the gang struck at sites including Stonehenge, Center Parcs and the historic Alfred's Tower in Warminster.

They also targeted sites at Badbury Rings, Dorset; Wookey Hole, Somerset; a birdwatching location in Lymington, Hampshire, and a car park in Dartmoor, Devon.

Over the two years, the gang journeyed from their homes to Surrey in the east and Devon in the west to commit crimes.

In all, they stole £30,000-worth of goods, and this did not include the cost of repairs to cars.

Mr Gabb said Gary Wells and Valerie Cooper were arrested in Lymington, when they posed as a pair of birdwatchers.

He said: "They parked in a lay-by near to where a rare bird had been seen but it was their behaviour that gave them away, as they were looking the wrong way.

"A real birdwatcher pulled up next to them, got out of his car and went off in search of the bird.

"But Cooper and Wells remained at the car park and there they broke into an Alfa Romeo car and drove off.

"Another birdwatcher became suspicious and made a note of their car numberplate and reported it to the police."

Matthew Scott, defending David Wells, said: "The burglaries are on discrete occasions and not a campaign of burglary."

Susan Evans, defending Victoria Cooper, said: "She knew what David Wells was doing but she never got out of the vehicle.

"Her role was to drive and her involvement is confined to that. She was vulnerable and easily influenced."

In sentencing Wells, Judge John Harrow said: "You were the main man in this conspiracy.

"This was not a random crime but a business.

"You recruited others and there was a considerable degree of planning involved.

"When you were seen, you were not daunted and continued after being stopped by the police."

Turning to Cooper, he said: "You were beholden to David Wells but you have to take responsibility for your actions.

"You were a key player in driving the cars. You played an active and willing role."

David Wells, Victoria Cooper and Michael Stafford pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to steal from cars relating to 33 offences.

Cooper also admitted perverting the course of justice, harbouring an escaped prisoner and attempting to obtain property by deception.

Gary Wells and Valerie Cooper pleaded guilty to two counts of theft from cars.

* See next story for more details.