Phone-camera footage helped bring down car-stealing Leeds burglary gang
A burgling gang that hit homes around Leeds to steal the cars parked outside have been jailed after phone-camera footage of their antics was found.
Kane Killen, Levon Thompson and Aiden Johnson were all handed custodial sentences at Leeds Crown Court this week.
They broke into homes and led police on chases in the stolen cars, but were brought down by their own stupidity - after recordings taken of the crimes were found by police.
Prosecuting, Harriet Eglinton outlined the case in chronological order, starting with 22-year-old Thompson, who, with a gang, followed two men on bicycles from Leeds Bus Station on the night of April 17.
Reaching the Headrow, they attacked on of the men and made off with the bike, after Thompson had punched him in the face. They had also tired to get the second mike but the owner rode off. Thompson was later identified in an ID parade.
Killen, 19, was involved in a burglary at Beechwood View in early June, in which a Mazda 3 Sport was taken. He was arrested a fews days later on unrelated matters and found in possession o the car’s key.
On June 20 Killen and Thompson broke into a home on North Hill Road in Headingley, snatching the keys to a Vauxhall Corsa then taking off in the car.
Days later they broke into another home and stole an Audi. CCTV later showed four males walking towards the address in the early hours. After arrest, Killen’s phone contained footage showing Thompson with the others.
Shortly after a home on Melville Close in Woodhouse was broken into, and a Seat Ibiza was taken. Further phone footage showed Thompson driving the Ibiza in convoy with Audi.
The next morning in Chapeltown, the stolen Audi was seen by police who pursued it at high speed. Killen eventually got out and ran but was quickly detained. He was abusive and threatened to spit at officers. He also had a small amount of cannabis on him.
But having been later released, Killen and 19-year-old Johnson were driving a Mercedes E220 that had been stolen in a burglary on July 10. Having gone to fill up with £28 worth of diesel at the BP Whinmoor garage, they left without paying.
Police were alerted and the Mercedes took off at speed. They eventually ditched the car and fled on foot, but were being monitored by the police helicopter and quickly arrested.
All three defendants appeared in court this week from prison, where they were being held on remand.
Killen of Grange View, Chapeltown, has more than 20 previous convictions for theft, robbery and driving matters.
He pleaded guilty to three counts of burglary, three of theft, two counts of dangerous driving, aggravated vehicle taking, driving without a licence, having no insurance, making off without payment and possession of cannabis.
Mitigating, Nick Cartmell said his guilty pleas were his best mitigation, and said he missed out on schooling which led him into crime.
He added: “He is a young man who has not had much of a life chance.”
Johnson, of Brathay Gardens, Seacroft has 13 previous convictions including robbery. He pleaded guilty to aggravated vehicle taking.
The court was told he has been recalled to prison in April 2027. Mitigating, Nicholas Hammond said: “This has been a lesson to him and he has done some growing up.
“He does not want to spend the rest of his life committing offences and ending up in prison.”
Thompson, formerly of Bayswater Grove, Harehills, but now of no fixed address, has seven previous convictions, including burglaries. He admitted three counts of burglary, robbery and attempted robbery.
Mitigating, Ian Hudson said he had was doing well in prison and was “trusted”, having landed a job in the kitchens.
The judge, Recorder Catherine Silverton jailed Thompson for 52 months, Killen for 45 months and Johnson for 12 months. Johnson was given a 28-month driving ban, and Killen a 45-month driving ban.