Thirteen people were sentenced at Luton Crown Court today (Sep 5), to a total of 26 years' jail for their part in a major car ringing scam.

The scam, which netted the team an estimated half a million pounds, was uncovered by Bedfordshire Police in 2005 in an undercover intelligence gathering operation known as Operation Chord.

Police interest in the defendants was made public in July 2006 when they were arrested in a series of police raids involving more than 200 officers.

The car ringing scam stemmed from house burglaries in Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex and Hertfordshire. As a result 13 people were charged with offences relating to conspiracy to commit burglaries, handling stolen goods and disguising criminal property. The significant and lengthy investigation that followed resulted in 12 people being convicted or pleading guilty with one person being acquitted.

Detective Inspector Will Hawkes, led the investigation and has been working with a small but dedicated team for more than two years.

He said:"This was an organised gang of criminals who have been dismantled by a small team of officers and staff who have worked tirelessly to bring these people to justice.

"While those sentenced today may have been dealt with for conspiracy, the impact that the burglaries had on the victims should not be overlooked. As handlers these defendants may be one step removed from the actual thefts, which were done at night time while occupants were asleep in their beds, but they knew how the vehicles were taken and the distress it caused.

"The size of this case is a task that cannot be over estimated for a small force such as Bedfordshire. While much of the activity occurred in south Bedfordshire our enquiries spanned several counties.

"Two of the recovered cars were seized in Morocco as part of a larger shipment of vehicles stolen from the south east region. The offenders targeted high-end quality cars such as BMWs and Audis taken from burglaries across the south east. The vehicle identities would then be switched with that of a salvaged car or insurance write-off, forged documents would be added and then the vehicle would be used or sold on.

"In fact they were so hard to spot that it took a Bedfordshire Police expert vehicle examiner hours of painstaking work to confirm the 'ringing'. He described the work as the best 'cloning job' he had ever seen. It was very hard to spot."

Now the criminal element of the investigation has been completed the next phase of the inquiry will start - looking at recovering the assets of those involved, say police.

Under the Proceeds of Crime Act a full financial investigation will be carried out which will prove how the offenders benefited financially from the car-ringing scam and those assets will be seized.

DI Hawkes added; "This part of the investigation is as important as the enforcement phase as it proves once and for all to criminals that crime doesn't pay."

Found guilty after trial and sentenced at Luton Crown Court today (Friday, september 5), were:

Angel Brown, 31, of St James Close, Pulloxhill – sentenced to one year in prison but suspended for two years; and 250 hours community service
Conspiracy to handle stolen goods (Stolen vehicles and vehicle parts)
Found not guilty on conspiracy to disguise criminal property (Stolen vehicles and vehicle parts).

Robert Wilson, 33, of Bracknell Close, Luton – sentenced to four years in prison;
Conspiracy to disguise criminal property (Stolen vehicles and vehicle parts)
Conspiracy to handle stolen goods (Stolen vehicles and vehicle parts)

Anthony Joseph, 30, of Kimberly Close, Luton – sentenced to four years in prison;
Conspiracy to disguise criminal property (stolen vehicles and vehicle parts)
Conspiracy to handle stolen goods (Stolen vehicles and vehicle parts).

The following defendants pleaded guilty before the trial and were sentenced today, (Friday, September 5).

Alan Lynch, 34, of Sanfoin Road, Luton – sentenced to a one year community order
Handling stolen goods (stolen vehicle);

Patrick Doherty, 31, of St James Close, Pulloxhill, sentenced to five years in prison
Conspiracy to disguise criminal property (Stolen vehicles and vehicle parts)
Conspiracy to handle stolen goods (Stolen vehicles and vehicle parts);

James East, 35, of Half Moon Lane, Pepperstock– sentenced to four and half years.

Conspiracy to disguise criminal property (Stolen vehicles and vehicle parts)
Conspiracy to handle stolen goods (Stolen vehicles and vehicle parts)

Michael Dickens, 41, of Home Farm, Tingrith, Beds, – will be sentenced at later date
Conspiracy to disguise criminal property (Stolen vehicles and vehicle parts)
Conspiracy to handle stolen goods (Stolen vehicles and vehicle parts

Sean Doherty, 34, of Durham Close, Flitwick, – sentenced to one year in prison but suspended for two years; and 200 hours community service

Handling stolen goods (stolen vehicle)

Jean Griffiths, 36, of Stephens Close, Luton – sentenced to four and half years

Conspiracy to disguise criminal property (stolen vehicles and vehicle parts)
Conspiracy to handle stolen goods (Stolen vehicles and vehicle parts)

Keiran Brennan, 32, of Ereswell Road, Luton – sentenced to two and half years

Conspiracy to handle stolen goods (Stolen vehicles and vehicle parts)

Kevin O'Neill, 34, of Repton Close, Luton – sentenced to 15 months

Handling stolen goods (stolen vehicle)

Kevin Linden Brown, 41, of Solway Road North, Luton– sentenced to one year suspended; and 150 hours community service
Handling stolen goods (stolen vehicle).

Trial Judge Foster commended the officers for their dedication to a long, complex and thorough investigation.