Car thieves offered to sell motors back to victims

Five men have been convicted for the theft of almost £1m worth of cars and motorcycles in Coventry.

Jason O'Farrell, Kian O'Shea, Deacon Cumberbatch, Tyrone Henn, and an 18-year-old who cannot be named due to a court order, were all involved in stealing and selling on the vehicles between 2022 and 2023.

They targeted luxury cars and motorbikes with a series of burglaries and car-jackings, and were charged with a total of 47 separate offences, police said.

The group even contacted some of the people whose cars they had taken, offering to sell them back.

Police said the investigation was one of the most extensive they had ever carried out in the city.

Officers scoured social media footage and mobile phone messages for evidence – including images of a number of the stolen vehicles.

The messages uncovered included those sent by Henn to other members of the group in which he complained that splitting £2,000 from a theft only left him with £400.

Police said a total of 24 stolen vehicles had been recovered so far.

Ch Supt Paul Drover said the men were among the most wanted offenders in Coventry.

"The thefts, burglaries and car-jackings this group carried out had a devastating impact on the victims, not just financially, but mentally," he said.

"During the investigation we really saw how brazen they all were and their casual attitude towards their offending."

He added: "Taking these five prolific offenders off the streets will send out a strong message about how seriously we take vehicle crime."

O'Farrell, 20, of no fixed address, O'Shea, 19, of Milverton Road, Coventry and the 18-year-old pleaded guilty on the second day of their trial.

Cumberbatch, 19, of Riley Square, originally pleaded not guilty, but later changed his plea to guilty.

Henn, 23, of Everdon Road, pleaded not guilty, but was convicted earlier this month at Warwick Crown Court.

All five will be sentenced in March.

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