Burglary gang who stole shotguns and ammunition during raids on Leeds homes jailed for 33 years

The gang left a trail of destruction at the homes they ransacked while owners were out and even turned bath taps on and flooded one house.

Bradford Crown Court heard Jordan Faulding, 23, Liam Ross, 21, James Trotter, 32, and Javais Shaukat, 22, were all convicted burglars who carried out the conspiracy to burgle between June 1 and 23 2020.

Chloe Hudson, prosecuting, said a four bedroom detached house was targeted in Bramhope on the afternoon of June 1 2020.

Burglars broke into a ground floor bedroom - causing the alarm to sound - before taking keys to a BMW 3 series GT car.

The homeowner was alerted by his house security system and saw the grey BMW 3 series and his wife's BMW 1 series being driven on a street in Bramhope.

Miss Hudson said the victim told police: "The feeling of having intruders in my house is sickening and very upsetting."

The following day another house in north Leeds was burgled.

The house was ransacked and items including jewellery, cash, and cards were stolen.

The grey BMW 3 series stolen in the burglary the previous day was seen with cloned number plates near the address.

Miss Hudson said the gang targeted a large detached house in Alwoodley on June 18 and stole items including watches and jewellery.

They poured oil and sugar all over the kitchen and lounge floor in a bid to get rid of potential forensic evidence.

Police used a neighbour's CCTV footage to identify Faulding getting out of the stolen silver BMW 3 series outside the house.

On June 19 jewellery was stolen when another house in north Leeds was burgled and brandy was thrown around the lounge.

The following day the grey BMW was seen near a large detached house in Shadwell which was burgled.

The sofa was slashed and two children's bedrooms ransacked.

Miss Hudson said: "Taps were turned on in the first floor bathroom causing a flood with water through to the ground floor."

Miss Hudson said a gun safe was dragged off a wall and forced open before two shotguns and ammunition were stolen.

Keys for two BMW cars were also taken during the raid and three men wearing balaclavas were caught on CCTV outside the house.

A large house near Golden Acre Park was ransacked on June 21 before a Fiat van was stolen.

A locked cabinet was forced open and a shotgun and ammunition was stolen from the house along with jewellery and an Omega watch.

Ross, of no fixed address; Trotter of Stonegate Road, Bradford, and Shaukat of Sable Crescent, Bradford, all admitted conspiracy to burgle.

Faulding, of Dudley Hill, Bradford, denied conspiracy to burgle but was convicted by a Leeds Crown Court jury after a trial.

Faulding alone admitted three burglaries and theft of a car at addresses in North Yorkshire in May 2019.

Jessica Heggie, mitigating for Faulding, said: "His father died in recent months.

"The defendant has had to deal with the grief at such a young age, confined to his cell 23 hours a day."

Rebecca Leah Young, for Ross, said he accepts his actions will have had an immediate and long term impact on victims' families and has agreed to take part in a restorative justice scheme.

Shufqat Khan, for Shaukat, said he was involved in the conspiracy on four days, adding: "He was in difficult financial circumstances."

Christopher Styles for James Trotter, said he acted as a driver and an "offloader," adding: "He didn't plan or instigate the offences."

Judge Colin Burn jailed Faulding for ten years and six months and handed Shakat an eight year jail sentence.

Ross and Trotter were each jailed for seven years and three months.