Nik
14-05-2010, 09:53 AM
Two motorcycle 'ringers' were jailed yesterday (13.05.10) for handling thousands of pounds worth of stolen parts and selling them on internet auction site eBay.
Paul James of Lincoln Close, Erith, Kent and Seamus McGlynn of Miles Drive, London SE28 appeared at Southwark Crown Court charged with handling stolen motorcycles and parts. They both pleaded guilty on 5 March.
Following a proactive intelligence led investigation by the Metropolitan Police Service Stolen Vehicle Unit, James and McGlynn were arrested at an industrial estate in Tilbury, Essex on the 8 September 2008.
At the time of their arrest, the pair were caught by officers 'ringing' a Suzuki GSX1300 motorcycle in order to disguise the fact that the vehicle was stolen.
Other 'ringing' equipment such as grinding tools and stamps were also found in the unit that they were renting, along with £265,000 worth of stolen motorbikes and motorcycle parts.
Ringing is the term used when a vehicle identification number (VIN) is altered or erased so the identity of the bike is changed.
Both men were arrested and charged with handling stolen goods. Further financial enquiries into the two suspects revealed that they had been operating four eBay accounts since January 2007.
James was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison and McGlynn was sentenced to two years and eight months.
Working closely with eBay, officers were able to determine that they were selling on the stolen parts as genuine items.
They identified 47 motorcycles that were handled by James and McGlynn and countless victims who thought they were buying safe, genuine motorbikes and motorcycle parts.
James and McGlynn were even changing the identities of some of the motorbike engines to sell them on as parts of racing bikes - they succeeded in fooling motorcycle racing enthusiasts as well as the general public.
Detective Sergeant Malcolm Ellis, from the Economic and Specialist Crime Command, said: "McGlynn and James were persistent in their criminal activity - they continued to trade in stolen motorcycles and parts whilst on police bail. Not only did they con innocent victims out of thousands of pounds, they were also selling vehicles that were highly unsafe and could have resulted in the death of a buyer.
"We will now be looking to confiscate the monetary value of their criminal assets under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA)."
The officers in the case were congratulated by the sentencing Judge for the professional and thorough investigation that gave the defendants no choice but to plead guilty.
:cool:
Paul James of Lincoln Close, Erith, Kent and Seamus McGlynn of Miles Drive, London SE28 appeared at Southwark Crown Court charged with handling stolen motorcycles and parts. They both pleaded guilty on 5 March.
Following a proactive intelligence led investigation by the Metropolitan Police Service Stolen Vehicle Unit, James and McGlynn were arrested at an industrial estate in Tilbury, Essex on the 8 September 2008.
At the time of their arrest, the pair were caught by officers 'ringing' a Suzuki GSX1300 motorcycle in order to disguise the fact that the vehicle was stolen.
Other 'ringing' equipment such as grinding tools and stamps were also found in the unit that they were renting, along with £265,000 worth of stolen motorbikes and motorcycle parts.
Ringing is the term used when a vehicle identification number (VIN) is altered or erased so the identity of the bike is changed.
Both men were arrested and charged with handling stolen goods. Further financial enquiries into the two suspects revealed that they had been operating four eBay accounts since January 2007.
James was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison and McGlynn was sentenced to two years and eight months.
Working closely with eBay, officers were able to determine that they were selling on the stolen parts as genuine items.
They identified 47 motorcycles that were handled by James and McGlynn and countless victims who thought they were buying safe, genuine motorbikes and motorcycle parts.
James and McGlynn were even changing the identities of some of the motorbike engines to sell them on as parts of racing bikes - they succeeded in fooling motorcycle racing enthusiasts as well as the general public.
Detective Sergeant Malcolm Ellis, from the Economic and Specialist Crime Command, said: "McGlynn and James were persistent in their criminal activity - they continued to trade in stolen motorcycles and parts whilst on police bail. Not only did they con innocent victims out of thousands of pounds, they were also selling vehicles that were highly unsafe and could have resulted in the death of a buyer.
"We will now be looking to confiscate the monetary value of their criminal assets under the Proceeds of Crime Act (POCA)."
The officers in the case were congratulated by the sentencing Judge for the professional and thorough investigation that gave the defendants no choice but to plead guilty.
:cool: