Five Men Jailed for £800,000 Coventry Vehicle Theft Spree
A gang who boasted and posed with the high-value vehicles they stole have now been imprisoned.
Five men who stole nearly £1 million worth of vehicles in Coventry have been jailed after a major police investigation.
The gang—Jason O’Farrell, Deacon Cumberbatch, Tyrone Henn, Kian O’Shea, and Keegan Judge—targeted cars, motorcycles, motorhomes, and luxury SUVs across the city between 2022 and 2023. They flaunted their crimes on social media, posting footage of stolen vehicles and boasting about their offences.
Detectives from Coventry’s Local Policing Area spent months combing through phone footage and hundreds of incriminating messages exchanged between the gang. Their evidence uncovered a sophisticated operation involving 47 separate offences, including car key burglaries and violent car-jackings.
• Tyrone Henn, 23, of Everdon Road – 10 years, 6 months in jail, 12-year driving ban
• Jason O’Farrell, 20, of no fixed address – 10 years, 5 months in jail, 14-year driving ban
• Deacon Cumberbatch, 19, of Riley Square – 6 years, 9 months in jail, 10-year driving ban
• Keegan Judge, 18, of Nuneaton – 4 years, 5 months in jail, 9-year driving ban
• Kian O’Shea, 19, of Milverton Road – 3 years, 9 months in jail, 8-year driving ban
Investigators found messages showing Henn complaining about profits from the thefts, at one point lamenting that a £2,000 haul left him with only £400 after being split among the gang. The group even contacted some of their victims, attempting to sell stolen vehicles back to them.
O’Farrell, O’Shea, and Judge pleaded guilty on the second day of their trial. Cumberbatch initially denied involvement but later changed his plea to guilty. Henn maintained his innocencebut was convicted at Leamington Crown Court on 12 February.
So far, police have recovered 24 stolen vehicles.
Chief Superintendent Paul Drover, of Coventry Police, said the gang had been among the city’s most wanted criminals.
“The thefts, burglaries, and car-jackings this group carried out had a devastating impact on the victims, not just financially, but mentally. During the investigation, we saw how brazen they all were and their casual attitude towards offending.”
Drover praised the officers who worked on the case, calling it “one of the most extensive investigations” the force had undertaken.
“Taking these five prolific offenders off the streets will send out a strong message about how seriously we take vehicle crime.”
ACCESS TO THE LAW: Understanding the Crime and Sentencing
As part of our campaign to improve citizens’ access and understanding of UK Criminal law, we will be explaining the relevant UK legislation surrounding any case law relevant to our articles:
ACCESS TO THE LAW: Sentencing for Vehicle Theft and Car-Jacking
As part of our campaign to improve citizens’ access to and understanding of UK criminal law, we will be explaining the relevant legislation behind key offences in our reports.
The theft of vehicles, particularly through burglary or force, is a serious offence under Section 12 of the Theft Act 1968 and Section 8 of the same Act, which covers robbery and car-jacking when violence or threats are used.
• Theft of a motor vehicle carries a maximum penalty of seven years in prison. If a vehicle is taken without consent but later recovered, this is often prosecuted as Taking Without Owner’s Consent (TWOC), which carries a lower sentence.
• Burglary to steal car keys is prosecuted under Section 9 of the Theft Act 1968 and can result in up to 14 years in prison if committed in a dwelling.
• Car-jacking, involving violence or threats, falls under robbery, which carries a maximum life sentence, though sentencing depends on the severity of the crime.
The Sentencing Council considers factors such as the use of violence, premeditation, and financial harm to victims when determining punishment. Courts impose driving bans on offenders to prevent reoffending, as seen in this case, where the gang received bans ranging from eight to 14 years.
This case demonstrates how courts deal with organised vehicle theft and the severe sentences imposed on those who steal cars through burglary and intimidation.
Well, that’s all for now. But until our next article, please stay tuned, stay informed, but most of all stay safe, and I’ll see you then.
