Men jailed for 15 years for huge car burglary conspiracy role

It follows an 18-month investigation by Merseyside Police into an organised crime group responsible for 162 burglary, theft and attempted burglary offences.

The investigation was launched in January 2020 after an increase in residential burglaries across Merseyside, Lancashire and Cheshire, in which high-performance vehicles with an estimated value of £2.6million were stolen, and often recovered in the Blackburn area.

Among the properties targeted were homes in Warrington and Newton-le-Willows.

Last year, eight people were sentenced to a total of more than 32 years in prison, including 38-year-old Kashif Rafiq, also known as Anjum Nawaz, of Oozehead Lane in Blackburn, who is believed to be the head of the OCG.

Keith Russell and Paul Wharton were jailed at Liverpool Crown Court

He was locked up for eight years and nine months for conspiracy to commit burglary and conspiracy to steal motor vehicles.

He is now joined behind bars by Keith Russell and Paul Wharton, who were jailed yesterday, Tuesday, at Liverpool Crown Court by judge Anil Murray.

Russell, 42 and of Hornby Road in Liverpool, was locked up for eight years after admitting robbery, conspiracy to commit burglary and conspiracy to commit theft.

The professional burglar targeted 88 homes while working for the OCG, being paid to break in and steal makes such as BMW and Audi.

He was also linked to eight attempted burglaries and 14 thefts.

Keith Russell

The vast majority of the cars were never recovered, and some were sold on to other criminals.

Meanwhile Wharton, 35 and of Max Road in Knotty Ash, was jailed for seven years and three months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary and conspiracy to commit theft.

He was linked to 16 burglaries and 11 attempted burglaries

DS Darren Hankin, from the force’s Operation Castle team which investigated the conspiracy, welcomed the sentences hand down by the court.

He said: “The sentencing of Russell and Wharton for their part in the burglary conspiracy brings the total for the OGC to more than 47 years.

Paul Wharton

“This was a detailed and complex investigation which was supported by our colleagues at Cheshire and Lancashire constabularies, and demonstrates the commitment of Merseyside Police’s dedicated Operation Castle team to bringing these people to justice and putting them behind bars where they belong.

“We understand the massive impact that burglary has on victims. It can be really personal, and victims can struggle to come to terms with offenders having entered their homes and stolen personal items.

“Key to these successes can often be information from those communities targeted, so I would continue to ask people to report anything suspicious and come forward with any information you may have seen or heard.

“Many other burglaries are still preventable as offenders are often opportunistic.

“Lock your front and back door, even when you are in, set your burglar alarm when you go out or go to bed and consider getting CCTV or doorbell technology, both of which can be valuable both as a deterrent measure but also when investigating incidents.”