At Swindon Crown Court, three men have been sentenced to a total of 24 years imprisonment for their parts in a large scale conspiracy to burgle which affected Cornwall.

The conspiracy included 120 burglary offences at commercial properties spanning five police force areas (Wiltshire, Gloucestershire, Thames Valley, Devon & Cornwall and West Mercia). They caused an estimated £471,847 of damage in the commission of the offences and stole around £211,000 in cash.

The same modus operandi was used during just over a year of offending from January 1, 2014 to January 20, 2015. They targeted commercial properties in isolated rural areas such as garden centres, golf clubs and service stations during the night, using Subaru 4x4s to approach the targets ‘off road’.

Joseph William Butler, 25 from Willows Caravan site, Sandhurst, Gloucester received a seven years custodial sentence.

Jesse Gregory, 50 from School Hill, Brinkworth, Chippenham was sentenced to 10 years.

David Wayne Royles, 53 from Sandhurst Lane, Gloucester received a seven years custodial sentence.

All three were given discounts for time already served.

The men admitted to their part in the conspiracy at earlier hearings.