Leaders of £2m car-theft gang jailed

Ben Cross, George Berry and Bradley Paddick were jailed for their part in the car thefts

The leaders of an organised crime gang which stole vehicles worth more than £2m have been jailed.

George Berry and Ben Cross led the "highly sophisticated" operation which saw 107 vehicles stolen from across Hampshire, Dorset and Wiltshire between February and October 2023.

They previously pleaded guilty to charges of conspiracy to steal motor vehicles, conspiracy to handle stolen goods, and possession of criminal property.

Cross was jailed for five years and four months and Berry was jailed for four years, eight months at a hearing at Southampton Crown Court.

The cars were mostly taken from driveways overnight and taken to a "chop shop" in Surrey, run by another organised crime gang, to be stripped down for parts.

Prosecutor Gemma White described it as a "highly sophisticated commercial operation".

The gang used signal boosters to trick keyless ignition vehicles, making it seem as if the vehicle's key fob was next to the vehicle and allowing it to be unlocked.

They also used so-called signal jammers to prevent the vehicles from being locked in the first place, with the owner not realising their key fob had not worked.

The gang members would then return in the middle of the night to drive the unlocked cars away.

A third member of the gang, Bradley Paddick, received a three-year sentence for with conspiracy to steal motor vehicles and conspiracy to handle stolen goods.

The partners of Berry and Cross and were also handed suspended sentences, having admitted money laundering offences.

Berry's partner, Rachael Moran, 31, of Bronte Way in Southampton was sentenced to 12 months, suspended for 18 months.

Charlotte Traves, 24, of Newman Road in Bursledon, was sentenced to 18 months, suspended for 18 months.

She and Cross had also admitted a charge of perverting the course of justice over a speeding offence.

Passing sentence, His Honour Judge Peters KC, addressed the defendants saying: "There is no doubt you were out for the money - no more, no less."

A further seven defendants are due to be sentenced on 21 November.