Worksop:‘Silent’ car trio jailed for more than 24 years

The trio silently forced their way into homes using specialist tools before searching for car keys and making off with vehicles.

The cars stolen included Audis, BMWs and a Porsche during an eight month crime spree in 2012.

They are now behind bars after a two-year investigation.

Grant Johnson, 28, formerly of Waltheof Road, Sheffield, Dane Shaw, 25, formerly of Paddock Crescent, Sheffield, and Karl Morley, 25, formerly of Spinkhill Road, Sheffield, were all charged with conspiracy to commit burglary and theft, between 1 March 2012 and 10 November 2012 in Nottinghamshire, Derbyshire and South Yorkshire.

They also faced an additional charge of conspiracy to commit theft of motor vehicles between the same dates.

They pleaded guilty to both offences at an earlier hearing in March and appeared at Leicester Crown Court on Wednesday 16th April where Morley was sentenced to nine years, Shaw eight years and Jonson seven-and-a-half years.

Detective Inspector Richard Monk, from Ashfield CID, said: “This was a calculated, highly organised and pre-planned operation in which Johnson, Shaw and Morley picked their targets based on the value of the vehicle parked outside.”

“A dedicated team of officers from both Nottinghamshire and Derbyshire have worked tirelessly for two years to build a robust case against these three men who intruded on the lives of innocent victims, shattering their sense of security and making them feel vulnerable in their own homes.”

A total of 47 incidents were linked to Johnson, Shaw and Morley, 22 offences happening in Nottinghamshire with 15 of those resulting in vehicles being stolen.