06/08/2008
Gang Jailed For Stately Home Raids
Five members of the same family have been jailed for up to 11 years each for their part on raids on stately homes.
The men, all members of the Johnson traveller family, stole priceless antiques which experts estimate could be worth more than £80 million.
The court heard that the gang targeted a number of wealthy homes across Wiltshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Worcestershire during a year long spree.
Their targets included the Ramsbury Manor in Wiltshire, home to property magnate Harry Hyams, where they stole property worth millions in a raid described as the UK's "biggest ever private house burglary".
Mr Hyams, who is 155th on the Sunday Times Rich List, with an estimated fortune of £320 million, was not at home when the raid took place.
Richard "Chad" Johnson, 33 and Daniel O'Loughlin, 32, were both jailed for 11 years.
Michael Nicholls, 29, was handed 10 years, Albi Johnson, 25, was jailed for nine years and Ricky Johnson, 53, was given eight years.
The group were found guilty of conspiracy to commit burglary between 8 April 2005 and 13 October 2006 following a month-long trial at Reading Crown Court.
Prosecutor Paul Reid described the men as an "extensive and highly organised" gang who were "ruthless in their intention to acquire high-value property".
Mr Reid said: "There is difficulty in putting a value on antiques and antiquities - some of them very precious and very rare - but it is tens of millions of pounds."
Police say the gang had been in operation in the south of England for 20 years.
The men - who wore balaclavas - would stake out country mansions, sometimes for weeks, and their raids were carried out within minutes before they escaped in stolen cars.
Formula One advertising tycoon Paddy McNally and Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire Sir Philip Wroughton were also victims of the gang's raids.
(DS/JM)
The men, all members of the Johnson traveller family, stole priceless antiques which experts estimate could be worth more than £80 million.
The court heard that the gang targeted a number of wealthy homes across Wiltshire, Oxfordshire, Berkshire and Worcestershire during a year long spree.
Their targets included the Ramsbury Manor in Wiltshire, home to property magnate Harry Hyams, where they stole property worth millions in a raid described as the UK's "biggest ever private house burglary".
Mr Hyams, who is 155th on the Sunday Times Rich List, with an estimated fortune of £320 million, was not at home when the raid took place.
Richard "Chad" Johnson, 33 and Daniel O'Loughlin, 32, were both jailed for 11 years.
Michael Nicholls, 29, was handed 10 years, Albi Johnson, 25, was jailed for nine years and Ricky Johnson, 53, was given eight years.
The group were found guilty of conspiracy to commit burglary between 8 April 2005 and 13 October 2006 following a month-long trial at Reading Crown Court.
Prosecutor Paul Reid described the men as an "extensive and highly organised" gang who were "ruthless in their intention to acquire high-value property".
Mr Reid said: "There is difficulty in putting a value on antiques and antiquities - some of them very precious and very rare - but it is tens of millions of pounds."
Police say the gang had been in operation in the south of England for 20 years.
The men - who wore balaclavas - would stake out country mansions, sometimes for weeks, and their raids were carried out within minutes before they escaped in stolen cars.
Formula One advertising tycoon Paddy McNally and Lord Lieutenant of Berkshire Sir Philip Wroughton were also victims of the gang's raids.
(DS/JM)
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