Lorry loader thieves' stay of execution
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FIVE MEN who were involved in the theft of three Hiab lorry loaders, each worth £3278 and belonging to George Cowen Machinery Ltd, were told by Judge William Hughes at Middlesex Crown Court: "This is a scandalous affair. You were supposed to be working for the firm but you were robbing them."
The defendants were Michael Roberts, 28, of Bintra Park, Crystal Palace; Frederick William Webb, 60, of Blake House, Porchester Meads, Beckenham; William Alfred Pudney, 53, of Dene Avenue, Hounslow; George Anthony Cope, 48, of Mill Lane, Sevenoaks; and Kieran Murray, 42, of Nelson Road, Hounslow.
Roberts pleaded guilty to all three thefts and was sentenced to two years imprisonment, suspended for two years, with fines totalling £2100. Cope, who pleaded guilty to two thefts, and Webb and Pudney, who each admitted one theft, were all sentenced to 12 months imprisonment, suspended for two years, with fines of £1000 in each case. Murray admitted one theft and was sentenced to 12 months imprisonment, similarly suspended, with a fine of £500.
Edward Durkin, 67, of Barn Hill, Wembley, who, along with Kenneth Skinner, 45, of Coldharbour Lane, London pleaded not guilty to dishonestly receiving a stolen Hiab lorry loader, was discharged. But Skinner was given an 18 months prison sentence, suspended for two years, and ordered to pay £200 prosecution costs. Hugh Torrance, prosecuting, said that at the time of the thefts the five who had pleaded guilty were all employed by Cowens in managerial capacities.
The three Hiab lorry loaders were sold by the five employees, without any documentation, for £2000 each.
Mr Torrance said that all five employees, who had since lost their jobs, were of hitherto good character. They had ad mitted the thefts, and the three loaders had been recovered.
In evidence during his trial, Durkin said when he arranged through Murray to buy a lorry loader, he thought the transaction legitimate and paid by cheque. He explained that he assumed documentation, which had not come with the loader, would be sent to him later and denied he had any idea that the loader was stolen.
Skinner, a scrap dealer with a number of previous convictions, had told the police on his arrest that he had no suspicions about the price he paid for the loader because he thought it was a refurbished model.