FIVE PEOPLE have been sentenced to years behind bars after a burglary network was uncovered by detectives in Coventry earlier this year.
The four men and a woman appeared at Warwickshire Justice Centre after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary at an earlier hearing.
Detectives raided a property in on December 10 last year on Cromwell Street, Edgwick after probing a spike in the number of break-ins across Coventry and Warwickshire.
There they found 38-year-old homeowner Caroline Browne and her son 20-year-old Liam Browne.
Also inside the address was Thomas Black, aged 20, 32-year-old Callum Flaxton, and a 16-year-old boy who cannot be named for legal reasons.
All five were arrested on suspicion of burglary.
Inside the address, officers found a range of stolen property linked to local burglaries, including electronic equipment and jewellery.
Forensic examinations were then carried out, along with CCTV trawls and footprint analysis.
PC Pete Waterman, from Coventry Police, explained: “These enquiries then helped us connect the suspects to the theft of five cars and a set of number plates.
“Following a further search of the property in January this year we also found a quantity of cannabis and evidence of drug dealing.”
A detailed investigation into the suspects’ mobile phone communications followed and officers found clear evidence of drugs supply for profit.
PC Waterman added: “Although Caroline Browne did not take part in the burglaries, she had knowingly let her home be used for storage of the stolen goods as well as being used for their drugs operation.
“The activities of these individuals had a significant impact on the local area and I am pleased that we have been able to bring them to justice.”
Caroline Browne, was sentenced to 12 months suspended for two years and a requirement to perform 180 hours of unpaid work, while her son Liam was sentenced to five years in prison.
Thomas Black, aged 20, of no fixed address, was sentenced to three and a half years with three years concurrent for a separate burglary.
Callum Flaxton, aged 32, from Woodway Close, Walsgrave, was sentenced to three years and the 16-year-old, from Keresley, was sentenced to a Youth Offender’s training programme and a tag curfew.
