Britain’s ‘most prolific’ bike thieves get jail

Ringleaders of Britain’s most prolific bike gang are beginning prison sentences today (Monday).

For the full story, read this week’s MCN, out on Wednesday, October 9.

James McCulloch, 42, from Leighton Buzzard, Beds and Martin Curran, 35, of the High Street, Dunstable, Beds, were both sentenced to three years in jail at Winchester Crown Court today having pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to handle stolen goods and conspiracy to use false documents on September 2.

The pair was said by police to be in charge of a gang responsible for stealing more than £4m of bikes.

Fellow gang members Tony Willison, 32, of Chiltern Avenue, Dunstable was sentenced to150 hours of community punishment for conspiracy to make false or misleading declarations in connection with applications for registration marks

David Bough, 41, of Luton Road, Charlton was given 180 hours community punishment also for conspiracy to make false or misleading declarations in connection with applications for registration marks.

Phillip Jones, 52, of Farringdon Road, Luton was fined £1200 and ordered to pay £200 costs for handling stolen goods.

Hampshire Police, who teamed up with the Met Police to crack the gang, say they were behind the thefts of around 600 bikes across the country until they were charged in November 2000.

What do you make of the punishments handed out by the judge? Has justice been served by today’s sentences? Click on the link on the right to tell us.