OCG sentenced after stealing £11,500 of fuel from haulage company cards in Widnes

An organised crime group who stole £11,500 worth of fuel from company cards belonging to a haulage firm in Widnes have been sentenced.

Bradley Davies, of Cherry Sutton in Widnes, was informed of the company cards by his sister Chelsea Davies, 28, of Thirlmere Way in Widnes, who was working as a cleaner at Stobart Energy Group on Mathieson Road.

After Chelsea stole seven of the company’s cards Bradley, his father Edward Davies, 52, of Thirlmere Way in Widnes, and five other men then conspired together to use the cards to purchase petrol.

Between 6 February 2020 and 27 February 2020 the men had visited petrol stations in Merseyside and Cheshire purchasing an estimated 8,943 litres of fuel costing the company £11,444.

The thefts were reported to Cheshire Constabulary on 20 February 2020.

A police investigation led to the men being identified after reviewing CCTV footage at numerous petrol stations.

The men were seen either using the cards to fill up an array of vehicles or to fill up fuel tanks ranging from 25 litres to 1000 litres.

On 3 June 2020 and 14 June 2020 officers conducted warrants at a number of addresses and made eight arrests.

The seven men and Chelsea Davies were taken into custody and subsequently charged.

Seven of the eight defendants pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit fraud at Liverpool Crown Court and were sentenced. The following were sentenced on Thursday 7 April 2022:

Bradley Davies, 26, was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment.

Adam Edge, 20, of Barnes Road in Widnes was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment.

Jason Edge, 26, of Holt Lane in Runcorn was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment.

Andrew Batterton, 32, of Cherry Sutton in Widnes was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment.

Daniel Cosgrove, 33, of Porter Avenue in Newton-le-Willows was sentenced to 24 months imprisonment.

Ashley Hughes, 31, of Fulbeck in Widnes, was sentenced on Wednesday 13 April to 30 months.

All six men have also been given a Criminal Behaviour Order (CBO) which will be in place for five years.

The two remaining defendants were sentenced on Tuesday 8 March 2022.

Chelsea Davies was sentenced to six months suspended for 18 months for theft by employee.

Edward Davies was sentenced to 14 months suspended for two years.

Inspector Rob McLoughlin, of Widnes local policing unit, said: “Following a lengthy investigation by a team of dedicated officers we have seen the conclusion of this case and the organised crime group face punishment.

“Each individual played a key part in the conspiracy and saw an opportunity to steal from a company believing their actions would go undetected as they brazenly filled up fuel tanks and their vehicles under the watchful eye of CCTV cameras.

“On top of their sentences we have also successfully been granted CBOs for each of the six men.

“The public can expect to see their photos circulated around the local community to further deter them from committing this crime again and to send a message to other criminals who may be thinking the same thing.”