A GROUP of men were jailed for a total of 26 years for their part in a series of car thefts in Monmouthshire.

Robert Coulson, 43, of Graig Park Road, Newport, Steven Gorry, 30, of Sycamore Avenue, Newport and Miles Bishop, 33, of Pillmawr Circle, Newport were sentenced for conspiracy to commit burglary and conspiracy to steal cars, while Gareth Elliott, 37, of Stanley Road, Pontypool, was sentenced after being found guilty of one count of handling stolen goods at Cardiff Crown Court on Friday 24th November.

Geni Dragjoshi, 30, of Gomer Street, Willenhall, was found guilty of handling stolen goods, and sentenced at Cardiff Crown Court last Wednesday (29th November).

Members of the gang took Audi, Mercedes and Volkswagen cars from homes in Chepstow, Monmouth and Peterston-super-Ely.

They also made off with sentimental items including an MBE medal, an ornate Faberge egg and jewellery.

The defendants were arrested and charged for their part in these crimes following the discovery of the cars, analysis of mobile phones and CCTV footage.

Coulson was sentenced to nine years imprisonment and was disqualified from driving for six-and-a-half years.

Gorry and Bishop were both sentenced to seven years imprisonment and were disqualified from driving for five-and-a-half years. Bishop was sentenced in his absence after he absconded during the trial and has not yet been located. Gwent Police say enquiries are ongoing into his whereabouts.

Elliott was sentenced to two years imprisonment and was disqualified from driving for two years and eight weeks. He was also sentenced to additional 16 weeks imprisonment for a breach of a suspended sentence.

Dragjoshi received 12 months imprisonment and a 18 month driving disqualification.

Detective Constable Carrie Streeter who led the case said: “I would like to reassure our local residents that we are committed to tackling these types of reckless crimes and we will continue to proactively stop criminals who profit from other people’s misery. These five men broke into homes, stole people’s vehicles from their driveways along with sentimental valuables. The loss of these items has caused upset and financial loss to the victims and the defendants showed no regard for their feelings whilst taking part in these offences. The sentences handed down shows our rigorous efforts to secure justice and our continuous work to dismantle organised crime groups. The investigation has been painstaking but I hope the victims and our communities take comfort in this outcome.”