Gang jailed for luxury car thefts

John Massie was described in court as the ringleader

A gang of car thieves has been jailed for more than 35 years for stealing luxury cars to order for customers in Britain and abroad.

The gang, nicknamed The Firm, was regarded by police as the largest of its kind in England.

In just five months up to 140 Porsches, BMWs, Mercedes and other high performance vehicles were snatched from driveways.

In many cases, the top-of-the-range vehicles were an easy target as scores of owners left their keys on open display in their homes.

Many quickly ended up in dockside containers for a new life in India, Africa, eastern Europe and the Middle East.

London's Harrow Crown Court was told that just 18 were recovered, but only because they were bought by an undercover officer who infiltrated the gang.

This is a premier league offence and premier league crimes merit premier league punishment Judge Barrington Black

These and the others still missing were worth a total of £2.36m, but were sold for no more than 10% of their value, the court was told.

None of the money pocketed by those involved has apparently been traced.

Police believe most was squandered on designer clothes and other luxury goods.

Imposing sentences totalling 35 years and six months, Judge Barrington Black said: "This is a premier league offence and premier league crimes merit premier league punishment."

Drugs charges

John Massie, an unemployed 31-year-old from Enfield Lock, north London, was described as the ringmaster of the gang.

"But each of the others had some part to play. A ringmaster doesn't crack the whip if no-one is there to jump when the whip is cracked," said Judge Black.

Massie pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to handle stolen cars between January and May this year, and was jailed for six years.

OTHERS CONVICTED John Coulter, 25, of no fixed address - three years Martin Tuvey, 26, of Edgware, north London - four years Steven Masters, 30, of Borehamwood, Herts - four years Derrick Jones, 35, of Clapton, east London - one year Andy James, 30, Edmonton, north London - two-and-a-half years

Grant Donaldson, 30, from Enfield, received a similar sentence after admitting the conspiracy, a charge of handling count and drugs charges.

Two others who admitted taking part in the conspiracy, were Martin Simmons, also 30, of, Dunstable, Bedfordshire, and Dean Chase, 22, of Ponders End, north London, who got five and four years respectively.

Five others were jailed after they pleaded guilty to counts of handling stolen vehicles.

A tenth defendant, Donaldson's girlfriend, Canan Woollacott, 35, from Enfield, was given a 12 month sentence suspended for two years after pleading guilty to burgling a house and pocketing the keys to an Audi TT stolen soon afterwards.

Detective Chief Inspector Dick Henson, of Barnet CID, warned: "Those who seek to make a living from stealing or handling stolen vehicles will be caught, prosecuted and, as we've seen today, they will be sent to prison".