Third man sentenced in relation to theft from cars in Northwich

A third man has now been sentenced following a series of thefts from motor vehicles in the Winnington area of Northwich.

Jonathan Pardoe appeared Crewe Magistrates’ Court on Monday 21st September where he was sentenced to three weeks in prison.

The 51-year-old, of no fixed abode, Northwich, initially pleaded not guilty to his involvement in a series of thefts from motor vehicles in the Winnington area.  However, he subsequently changed his plea and admitted one count of vehicle interference, one count of fraud by false representation and two counts of theft from a shop.

Two other defendants, Daryl Cobain and Jamie Clarke, had already admitted their involvement in the incidents at earlier hearings.

Clarke, of Farm Road, Weaverham, appeared at Chester Magistrates Court on Tuesday 18th August where he was sentenced to 34 weeks in prison. The 39-year-old pleaded guilty to five counts of theft from a shop, four counts of breaching a criminal behaviour order and two counts of fraud by false representation. Cobain, 50, of no fixed abode, Northwich, attended Chester Magistrates on Wednesday 19 August, where he pleaded guilty to one count of theft from a motor vehicle, three counts of vehicle interference, two counts of fraud by false representation and possession of cannabis. 

The court heard how between Wednesday 12th and Friday 14th August officers received numerous reports of a group of men who were attempting to access insecure vehicles on Alderley Road, Penrhyn Road, Woodlea Court, Foxendale Close and Blossom Heights.

A number of items were stolen, including a large quantity of cash and several bank cards. An investigation into the incidents was launched by officers from Northwich Proactive Policing Unit.

Following enquiries, officers recovered CCTV footage which linked Cobain to four incidents on Penryn Road, Foxendale Close and Blossom Heights, along with footage linking Pardoe to attempting to access a car on Woodlea Court.

In addition, they also recovered footage which showed Cobain, Pardoe and Clarke using the stolen cards to make a number of fraudulent transactions. In total the trio spent more than £400 on the stolen cards.

After identifying the trio as being involved in the incidents, all three men were quickly located and arrested. Clarke was detained by an off-duty Special Constable in Weaverham, whilst Pardoe was also detained by an off-duty detective inspector, who stopped him whilst he was trying to steal £170 worth of meat from Waitrose on Monday 17 August.

Following the convictions, Police Constable Ed Whalley, of Northwich Proactive CID said:

“These men were relentless in their offending, targeting innocent people’s belongings for their own selfish gain. I have no doubt that had they not been arrested they would have continued to offend. 

“However, within days of these incidents being reported we were quickly able to identify the trio as the offenders, and they are now being held accountable for their actions.

“This is a great example of the teamwork between Northwich Proactive CID and the local Neighbourhood officers, who all played key roles in helping to secure these convictions.  

“I hope that the swift conclusion of this case will provide reassurance for local residents.” 

Pictured - Jonathan Pardoe of no fixed abode, Northwich.