Burglars stole large haul of copper wire

A GANG burgled the depot of a haulage company in Llanelli, stealing thousands of pounds of copper wire in an incident that will cost the company a six-figure sum to remedy.

Jack Carey and Rhys Carey appeared before Swansea Crown Court to be sentenced for their role in committing burglary at Owens Transport Services depot, a large commercial premises in Llanelli.

The court heard how on July 13 last year warehouse manager Barrie Evans discovered a large quantity of copper had been stolen from the premises over the preceding weekend, with a large amount of plastic skin stripped from copper cable.

The incident was reported to police and CCTV footage was reviewed which showed a van at the location just after midnight on Saturday, July 11.

The words “chartered van hire” were spotted emblazoned on a side panel of the vehicle.

A police intelligence check discovered the vehicle was a Ford Transit, and a marker was put on a van which had been seen in the area. It was stopped on the M4 some time later and during a search of the vehicle, a large amount of copper wiring and a metal bar were discovered.

There were also two 20kg plates found in the back of the van, which had been stolen from a neighbouring unit to the depot which is used by a gym.

The men were arrested at the scene and made no reply to caution.

Jack Carey, 26, and Rhys Carey, 33, both of Heol Homfray in Cardiff, appeared at Swansea Crown Court for sentencing, having both pleaded guilty to three counts of burglary other than a dwelling.

Paul Condick, 38, of Heol Trelai, Caerau, Cardiff, and Nathan Kingsley, 30, of Caerau Lane, Ely, Cardiff, also pleaded guilty to three counts of burglary other than a dwelling, but fall to be sentenced at a later date.

The court heard the total net weight of the copper found in the van was 1,780kg, valued at £7,832.

Passing sentence, Judge Paul Thomas said: “You, together with others from Cardiff, committed serious organised criminality. I hope this has taught you a lesson not to get involved in crime like this.”

Both men were given 18-month prison sentences, suspended for two years.

Jack Carey has been given a curfew order from 8pm until 7am for three months, while Rhys Carey has to carry out 200 hours’ unpaid work.