Men jailed after stolen parts inquiry

4:05pm Wednesday 14th May 2008

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TWO men have been jailed after an investigation into a conspiracy to conceal £750,000 worth of stolen vehicles and vehicle parts.

James Langley, of Waldens Close, Orpington, was jailed for five years and Luke Shilling, of Hart Dyke Road, Swanley, was given a 14-month sentence.

The men were found guilty at Maidstone Crown Court yesterday (May 13).

The convictions followed a lengthy investigation by Kent Police.

Officers recovered around 60 stolen vehicles and machine parts, mainly from heavy goods vehicles or mechanical diggers, in Iwade, near Sittingbourne, on farmland in the summer of 2005.

Langley, aged 64, was convicted of conspiring to conceal criminal property.

Shilling, aged 26, was convicted of perverting the course of justice.

The jury failed to come to a decision regarding a concealing criminal property charge against Shilling.

Three other men were jailed last year as part of the inquiry into the stolen parts.

Michael Shilling, aged 47, of Hart Dyke Road, Swanley and Roy Shaw, aged 45 from Faversham, were both found guilty of conspiring to conceal criminal property following a seven-week trial.

Michael Shilling was sentenced to 12 years and three months and Shaw was sentenced to four years.

A third man, John McClune, aged 36, of Reeves Crescent, Swanley, was found guilty of perverting the course of justice and sentenced to 18 months.

A fourth man was also charged with conspiracy to handle stolen goods but was acquitted.