Five men who orchestrated a large-scale vehicle theft operation worth over £800,000 across Coventry have been jailed, following a series of convictions in court.
Jason O’Farrell, Deacon Cumberbatch, Tyrone Henn, and Kian O’Shea were previously convicted earlier this month for their roles in the theft ring, which saw a range of vehicles including cars, motorcycles, motorhomes and high-end SUVs stolen and sold on.
Now, a fifth defendant, Keegan Judge, can be publicly named after a court order restricting his identification was lifted.
Brazen Theft Operation
The gang was described by police as operating with “shocking audacity,” often targeting driveways, dealerships and storage sites, using sophisticated methods to bypass vehicle security systems. They frequently boasted about their crimes on social media and encrypted messaging apps, showcasing stolen vehicles and taunting authorities.
Detectives revealed that some vehicles were stripped for parts or shipped abroad for resale, while others were cloned with false plates and sold to unsuspecting buyers.
Sentences Handed Down
At sentencing, the judge described the group’s actions as “organised, calculated, and highly lucrative criminal activity.” The five men received the following sentences:
- Jason O’Farrell, 31 – 6 years, 8 months
- Deacon Cumberbatch, 28 – 5 years, 6 months
- Tyrone Henn, 30 – 5 years
- Kian O’Shea, 26 – 4 years, 3 months
- Keegan Judge, 24 – 3 years, 9 months
Police: Public Protected from ‘Prolific Offenders’
West Midlands Police welcomed the convictions, saying the sentencing sends a strong message to criminal networks involved in high-value thefts.
A force spokesperson said:
“This group caused significant financial loss and distress to dozens of victims. We are pleased the courts have recognised the scale of their offending, and that these prolific offenders are now behind bars.”
Investigations into other associated thefts remain ongoing, and officers are continuing efforts to trace any outstanding stolen vehicles.
Anyone with information relating to vehicle crime in the area is urged to contact police via 101, or report anonymously to Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.
