Several burglars swiped almost 9,000 litres of petrol from fuel pumps in the space of 21 days after stealing a company fuel card.
Bradley Davies, 26, was told about a number of company fuel cards in Stobart Energy Group on Mathieson Road, Widnes by his sister, Chelsea, 28, who worked there as a cleaner. After Chelsea Davies stole seven of the company’s cards her brother, their dad, Edward Davies, 52, and five other men made a plan to use the cards to buy petrol.
Between February 6, 2020 and February 27, 2020 the men had visited petrol stations in Merseyside and Cheshire purchasing an estimated 8,943 litres of fuel costing the company £11,444. The thefts were reported to Cheshire Constabulary February 20, 2020.
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A police investigation led to the men being identified after reviewing CCTV footage at numerous petrol stations. The men were seen either using the cards to fill up a number of vehicles or to fill up fuel tanks ranging from 25 litres to 1000 litres.
On June 3, 2020 and June 14, 2020 officers conducted raided a number of homes and made eight arrests. The seven men and Chelsea Davies were taken into custody and later charged.
Seven of the eight defendants pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit fraud at Liverpool Crown Court and were sentenced. The following were sentenced on Thursday April, 7 2022.
All six men were also been given a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) which will be in place for five years.
Bradley Davies, 26, was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment.
Adam Edge, 20, of Barnes Road in Widnes was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment.
Jason Edge, 26, of Holt Lane in Runcorn was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment.
Andrew Batterton, 32, of Cherry Sutton in Widnes was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment.
Daniel Cosgrove, 33, of Porter Avenue in Newton-le-Willows was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment.
Ashley Hughes, 31, of Fulbeck in Widnes, was sentenced on Wednesday 13 April to 30 months.
The two remaining defendants were sentenced on Tuesday, March 8 with Chelsea Davies being sentenced to six months suspended for 18 months for theft by employee and Edward Davies getting a 14 months suspended for two years.
Inspector Rob McLoughlin, of Widnes local policing unit, said: “Following a lengthy investigation by a team of dedicated officers we have seen the conclusion of this case and the organised crime group face punishment.
“Each individual played a key part in the conspiracy and saw an opportunity to steal from a company believing their actions would go undetected as they brazenly filled up fuel tanks and their vehicles under the watchful eye of CCTV cameras.
“On top of their sentences we have also successfully been granted CBOs for each of the six men.
“The public can expect to see their photos circulated around the local community to further deter them from committing this crime again and to send a message to other criminals who may be thinking the same thing.”
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