Thieves Target Rural Sites in £180k Crime Spree
Between November 2019 and May 2020, Leroy Paul Lovatt, 44, and Mark Daniel Rogers, 36, launched a string of thefts across Northamptonshire. Their hits hit rural communities and building sites in places like Whilton Locks, Fawsley, Flore, Milton Malsor, and central Northampton. The pair stole plant machinery, tools, and trailers, raking in a haul worth around £180,000.
Third Man Caught Handling Stolen Ford Ranger
During the probe, 33-year-old Richard Whiteoak admitted to handling a stolen Ford Ranger taken from a farmer’s field. Whiteoak, formerly of Fitzsewin Court, Northampton, got caught up in the criminal mess.
Organised Crime Plot Exposed
Investigators revealed that Lovatt and Rogers carefully planned each heist, highlighting the organised nature of their crimes. All three men were initially charged with conspiracy to steal.
Guilty Verdicts After 11-Day Trial
The 11-day trial at Northampton Crown Court wrapped on June 26. The jury unanimously found Lovatt and Rogers guilty. Whiteoak pleaded guilty mid-trial to handling stolen goods, a plea accepted by the Crown Prosecution Service. All three face sentencing on September 15, 2023.
