Man cleared of car-ringing charge

A man has been cleared of all charges relating to a car-ringing scam.

Robert Gibbs, 32, of Luton, was found not guilty of conspiracy to disguise criminal property and conspiracy to handle stolen goods.

The charges related to the theft of cars worth £500,000 which were given to a gang who disguised vehicles' identities, Luton Crown Court heard.

Angel Brown, 31, of Pulloxhill, Mr Gibbs' co-defendant, was found guilty of conspiracy to handle stolen goods.

Brown was given bail until sentencing at Luton Crown Court.

Identities removed

Anthony Joseph, 30, from Kimberley Close, Luton, and Robert Wilson, 33, of Bracknell Close, Luton, were previously convicted of disguising criminal property and conspiracy to handle stolen goods

Both men were remanded in custody until sentencing, alongside several other defendants, at a later date.

During the six-week trial, prosecutors told the court the defendants had conspired with a number of other people - several of whom have already pleaded guilty - to change the identities of up to 32 cars.

The gang were said to have stolen cars that matched vehicles bought from salvage companies, and the identities of the salvage vehicles moved onto the stolen cars.

This was done to cars stolen from across Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex and Hertfordshire, the court heard.