Telford car theft gang chief made £250,000 in 'professional' operation

Jangeer Khan and four other men, all from the Telford area, had previously admitted their role in the "sophisticated and professional" operation targeting BMWs and Mercedes that were stolen to order.

The conspiracy involved stealing and selling vehicles repaired with stolen parts.

Seven men were variously responsible for the theft, storage and dismantling of dozens of the high value cars, a court heard.

During a Proceeds of Crime hearing at Birmingham Crown Court yesterday, it was ruled 32-year-old Khan, who was the head of the operation, had benefited by £250,000.

But a financial investigation revealed Khan, of Bush Close, Dothill, Telford, had few realisable assets. Judge Paul Farrer QC, in the absence of Khan, imposed a confiscation order in the sum of £1,516.

Khan was jailed for 40 months in October last year for the car conspiracy and a further 10 months for being concerned in the supply of cannabis.

At yesterday's hearing, Judge Farrer said Khan had benefited from £250,000 from his "organising role".

Others involved included his 23-year-old nephew Adnan Khan, of Manor Road in Hadley, Philip Vernon, 31, of Aston Road in Shifnal, Peter Dutton, 34, of Marton Drive, in Wellington, and John Allen, 26, of Spout Way, in Malinslee. All of them were jailed last year.

The five men, including Khan, were due to appear at Proceeds of Crime hearings this week.

But the court was told Allen, who was jailed for two years for the conspiracy to steal cars and a further four months for being concerned in the supply of cannabis, had since died.

Adnan Khan, Vernon and Dutton were today expected before the court for their hearings.

Adnan Khan was jailed for 12 months for handling stolen cars and five years for his part in a separate conspiracy to supply drugs. Dutton had a factory unit in Shifnal. Police recovered £25,000 worth of car parts. He was jailed for 21 months. Vernon, whose business Shropshire BMW at Lamledge Lane was used to rebuild damaged vehicles, was jailed for two years.

In an earlier Proceeds of Crime hearing, also held at Birmingham Crown Court, two other members of the plot to steal high value cars were said to have gained by more than £150,000.

It was ruled that 31-year-old Farraqh Hadiat, of Acocks Green in Birmingham, had benefited by £125,000. But he had little or no financial means and a confiscation order was posted for him to pay just £170.

Mohammed Shakeel, 26, had a criminal benefit of about £29,500 from his part in the conspiracy, Shakeel, of Hall Green in Birmingham, was ordered to pay £3,000, the amount of his releasable assets.

Ten other men involved in the drug plot were also jailed last year.