TWO Bristol men have avoided jail for stealing four motocross bikes from a householder’s garage in the Forest of Dean. A third man thought to have been involved in the theft has never been caught.

Prosecutor Matthew Jackson told Gloucester Crown Court last Friday (June 2) that the break-in was at a garage in Owen Gardens, Coleford.

At around 3am on March 9 this year, an alert neighbour spotted three men wheeling motocross bikes from the garage into a white van parked nearby, he said. 

The neighbour immediately called the police and officers were at the scene in minutes.

As the police arrived, the three men ran off. However, Matthew Smith, 28, of Fishponds Road, Bristol, and Jesse Barrett 19, of Oxleaze, Bristol were caught after a short chase. The third man, believed to be the main instigator of the burglary, remains at large.

Four motocross bikes, one Kawasaki and three KTM branded machine, valued at £12,500, were recovered by the police. Officers discovered that the men had acquired the van, which had been reported stolen a few days earlier, and had forced their way into the garage.

The police also recovered a number of power tools including a chainsaw, but these items did not belong to the owner of the motocross bike and remain unclaimed.

Barrett’s lawyer said that his client has been offered a job, depending on the outcome of the hearing. He is also a carer for a young relative.

“Barrett is 19 years of age and is suffering from a number of mental health issues,” said the lawyer.

Steven Young, for Smith, reminded the judge that his client had been on a curfew since his arrest and added: “The case was committed to the court because of the high value of the motocross bikes. Only two men have been prosecuted for this offence.

“Smith states he was the van driver and never entered the garage. However, he accepts being part of the enterprise because he helped load the stolen vehicles in the van and he was inside the vehicle when the police arrived on the scene.

“Smith has been diagnosed with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder and had been smoking cannabis at the time when he initially became involved. 

He also has a number of ongoing medical issues. He didn’t have a leading role and it was a non-domestic burglary.”

Both men admitted the burglary of the garage in Coleford and the theft of four motocross bikes from within on March 9.

Judge Ian Lawrie KC told Barrett “You haven’t made the most sensible decision when it comes to forming friendships.

He added: “This offence crosses the custody threshold–however, I feel that an 18-month community order is more appropriate, given the prospect of rehabilitation and your relative youth.

“I particularly note that you help a family member with the caring responsibilities towards a young relative. This is your one and only mistake in breaking the law.”

The judge ordered Barrett to do 150 hours of unpaid work and complete a number of rehabilitation activity requirement days and pay court costs of £150 along with a mandatory surcharge of £95. Barrett will also have to attend a monthly judicial review in Gloucester.

In sentencing Smith to a jail term of 13 months, suspended for 18 months, Judge Lawrie ordered him to complete 30 rehabilitation activity requirement days and pay a £50 fine.

“You’re an idiot to have got involved in the first place,” said the judge. “You have responsibilities and have your own medical issues so I am not locking you up, even though your offending crosses the custody threshold.”