MORE charges are likely in a major police investigation into an alleged stolen Land Rover racket centred in the Forest of Dean, a court was told.
So far three men have been charged with conspiracy to receive stolen Land Rovers but prosecutor Mary Cowe told Gloucester Crown Court that by the trial date in October there were likely to be “between eight and ten in the dock."
Edward Barrington, 27, of Wellington Terrace, Newnham-on-Severn appeared at court with Gavin Wroe, 48, of Lords Gate, Coleford, and Stephen Goode, 44, of Gloucester Road, Coleford
They are all charged, along with Luke Heron, Daniel Hayler, Kelvin Harding and others unknown, with conspiring between May 25 and June 28 last year to dishonestly assisting in the disposal of stolen vehicles, knowing or believing the vehicles to be stolen, from premises at Sling and Parkend.
The prosecution allege the conspirators were involved in breaking the vehicles down for parts or by moving them on to be sold whole.
Ms Cowe told the court that the police had identified approximately 55 vehicles from watching three months worth of CCTV.
The police investigation began when six stolen 4x4 vehicles worth up to around £40,000 each were discovered at a business park in Sling.