Based from Wiltshire, a gang of four men travellers, thought to be liable for half of the UK’s caravan thievery that happened between 2004 and 2007, is now in jail. The stolen caravans are worth over £700,000.

All in their 20s, Martin Ward, Charlie Ward, Martin McDonagh and John McDonagh were sentenced by Winchester Crown Court to serve between four to nine years in jail. The men, arrested last October 2007, were found in custody of stolen caravans, motor homes, cars, cash and jewelleries. There were about 19 police forces utilized for their arrest.

After a three-month long trial, they had all been found guilty of conspiring to steal. But the four were cleared for money laundering charges.

The four men, who travelled between Ireland and the UK, had earlier convictions of caravan thievery. It was believed that the families McDonagh and Ward started stealing caravans from motorway service stations and driveways way back 2004.

Judge Patrick Hooton, who handled the caravan cases, said that the crime caused suffering and grief to the victims. He added that the conspiracy was well planned.

Confiscation proceedings against the gang will now begin to take hold their properties. Meanwhile, the insurance sector reported a 47 per cent drop in claims after their arrest.