Four men from Manchester have been jailed for a total of almost ten years after pleading guilty to their involvement in the theft of at least 19 vehicles across Macclesfield and Cheshire.

The foursome were all sentenced at Chester Crown Court on Tuesday 11 May.

The offences date from as far back as three years ago, to the first month of the pandemic.

Alan Dunwoody, 38, Mark Strutt, 42, were both sentenced to four years in prison after pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary and conspiracy to steal.

Ryan Dunwoody, 35, was handed a 22 month custodial sentence after admitting theft of a motor vehicle.

Mark Ford, 23, was sentenced to 20 months in prison suspended for two years after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary with intent to steal.

During the hearing the court heard how between them the group were responsible for the theft at least 19 vehicles from homes and business premises across Cheshire, including premises in Macclesfield, Knutsford, Wilmslow, Alderley Edge and Northwich.

The incidents occurred between June 2018 and April 2020, with the majority of offences involving keyless car thefts, although the gang did also break into a number of homes.

They primarily targeted Fiat Abarths, but also stole other vehicles including Ford Focus, Vauxhall Corsa and two Fiat Ducato car transporters.

Following their sentencing Detective Constable Andrew Street from Macclesfield CID said: "Throughout this investigation it was clear that this gang had no boundaries, even at the height of lockdown, the gang had the audacity to steal four vehicles in one night from a garage on the outskirts of Northwich, which had a value of £92,000.

"Thankfully as a result of our investigation the gang are now facing the consequences of their actions.

"As this case demonstrates, we are relentless in our pursuit against criminals and I hope that the sentences handed to this group provide reassurance to local residents and act as a warning to other offenders who are planning to come to Cheshire to commit crime."

The four defendants put behind bars today were as follows, and none of them were from our town:

Alan Dunwoody (38), Pewsey Road, Wythenshaw, Greater Manchester

Ryan Dunwoody (35), HMP Wymott, Ulnes Walton, Lancashire

Mark Ford (23), Colshaw Road, Manchester

Mark Strutt (42), Glebe Street, Offerton, Stockport

They were not the only men associated with the crimes, but were the only four sentenced today.

Related charges against Stephen Strutt (39) Chester Avenue, Stalybridge, and Aaron Stubbs (30) Lane End Road, Manchester, will lie on file due to the pair's conviction for the murder of Warren Glover in Merseyside.

A seventh defendant, Gary Jackson, 39, of Dukes Crescent, Manchester, has been charged with conspiracy to steal a motor vehicle. The male is set to stand trial at Chester Crown Court later in 2021.

Elsewhere in local crime, Macclesfield Nub News reported on the arrest of two men who kidnapped a boy at the weekend.

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