Two men jailed after spate of burglaries at Suffolk farms
They took tools and agricultural vehicles with a value of around £133,000
Last updated 28th Sep 2022
Two men have been jailed for a combined nine years, after a spate of thefts and burglaries targeting farms in Suffolk.
Luke Booth, aged 22 and from Earl Shilton in Leicestershire and James Mitchell, aged 35 and of Woodland Way in Ipswich, were each handed sentences of four years and six months at Ipswich Crown Court on Monday (September 26).
They were also both disqualified from driving for five years.
Both admitted to conspiracy to steal in connection with a series of break-ins between September and December 2021.
The pair took tools and agricultural equipment worth a total of around £133,000. The pair were tracked down by police though the use of ANPR traffic cameras, as well as CCTV footage.
Pictures and videos of stolen property were also found on Booth’s mobile phone.
Over the four months, they targeted properties in Martlesham, Framlingham, Waldringfield, Leavenheath, Friston, Capel St Mary, Snape, Wherstead, Badingham, Hadleigh, Kelsale Cum Carlton, Leavenheath, Ufford and Akenham.
Booth was first arrested in December 2021, with Mitchell detained in January of this year.
They admitted 26 further offences which were taken into consideration by the court.
Investigating officer Detective Constable James Lait, of Suffolk Police, said: “There was overwhelming evidence to indicate Booth and Mitchell were responsible for this prolific series of crimes."
"Telecommunications analysis was key in illustrating the pair’s movements around the times of the offences and linking them to this crime series.
"Our operational analysis and research teams played a critical role in bringing them to justice for all the crimes committed.
“This result has been a long time coming. A vast amount of investigative work across a number of teams brought them to justice and it is with the close work with the CPS that we have been able to progress to these convictions.
"Booth and Mitchell showed a total disregard for the law and a complete indifference of the impact to their victims. I am pleased that these men will be unable to continue with their criminal lifestyles.”