Organised burglary gang jailed in London, England

A highly organised gang of burglars who stole three quarters of a million pounds worth of top of the range cars, valuable jewellery and electrical goods have been sentenced at Southwark Crown Court.

The eleventh and twelfth members of the criminal network, and last to receive their sentences, appeared at the court yesterday (Thursday, 30 September).

Paul Riley, 18, of Spring Place, NW5, was jailed for 15 months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to handle stolen goods between December 2009 and March 2010.

Robert Winter, 22, of Salisbury Walk, N19, was jailed for two and a half years after pleading guilty to supplying Class A drugs.

The ten other men in the gang were sentenced on previous dates at Southwark Crown Court after all pleading guilty to one count each of conspiracy to handle stolen goods (HSG) between December 2009 and March 2010.

The leader of the criminal network, John O’Leary, 42, of Hadley Street, London NW1 was jailed for five years, ten months for conspiracy to HSG.

Daniel O’Leary, 43, of Brassey Road, London NW6, was jailed for nine years: five for conspiracy to HSG, and an additional four for one count of conspiracy to supply class A drugs.

Jake Parker, 21, of Wellington Square, London N1, was jailed for five years, three months in total for one count of conspiracy to HSG and one count of supplying Class A drugs.

Patrick McCarthy, 22, of George Crescent, London N10, was given a two year suspended sentence for conspiracy to HSG.

John McDonald, 21, of The Chase, Rush Green, Romford, was jailed for two years, nine months for conspiracy to HSG.

Five other men all received sentences of fifteen months each for conspiracy to HSG.

They were:

Beau Abououf, 20, of Varndale Road, London NW1.

Dean Kelly, 23, of Neasden Lane, London NW10

Patrick Dinnegan, 44, of Hilldrop Road, London N7

Imad Mohamed, 21, of Clayton Crescent, London N1.

Martin Delaney, 49, of Rowan House, Maitland Park, NW3

Operation Parkin, led by the MPS’s London Crime Squad, linked the gang to 47 separate offences in upmarket areas of north-west London, Hertfordshire, ThamesValley and Bedfordshire.

In all but two of the cases, the gang first burgled the houses to steal the keys to top of the range cars such as BMWs, Audis and Mercedes sitting on the driveways. 31 of the vehicles were subsequently recovered and either restored to owners or relevant insurance companies.

The cars stolen were worth around £500,000 in total, while other personal items taken during the burglaries amounted to a further £250,000.

From evidence gathered during the investigation, it was apparent that each member of the gang had their own specific role. This involved the organisation and running of the burglary team; the negotiators/controllers of the sale of the vehicles; the drivers of the vehicles to deliver them and the individuals who actually carried out the burglaries.

Detective Inspector Bob Boggon of the London Crime Squad, who led the investigation, said: "This was an intensive, intelligence-led operation to dismantle a large criminal network living off the proceeds of property stolen from residential burglaries, such as expensive luxury cars.

"Burglaries can be very distressing for victims, in this case mainly families who lived in affluent areas. Though many of the stolen items were high value goods, there were also a considerable number of personal items of sentimental value, on which a price cannot be put.

"The Met Police will be relentless in its pursuit of organised gangs such as this one."