A THIEF has been jailed for four years after targeting an Audi garage in Crewe twice in December.

Scott Meakin, 28, of Sutcliffe Street, Royton, was sentenced for four years in prison after he pleaded guilty to two counts of theft from a motor vehicle.

The first incident occurred on the evening of Sunday, December 4, when five Audi’s, parked on the forecourt of the dealership, were attacked and the full sets of alloy wheels were stolen. The theft totalled approximately £35,000.

The second incident was one week later, on Sunday, December 11, when Meakin, along with a second man, targeted the same dealership in Crewe.

However, in the process of the theft the two offenders were disturbed and made off from the scene. Officers were called to the scene and, a short time later, Meakin was arrested nearby.

Following his arrest, Meakin initially denied any involvement in either of the incidents, but officers were able to gather sufficient evidence to charge him with both offences.

On appearing at Chester Crown Court on Tuesday, Meakin was sentenced to four years imprisonment for two counts of theft from a motor vehicle, one count of going equipped for theft and one count of damage to a vehicle. Five other regional offences taken into consideration during his sentencing.

Det Sgt Richard Johnson said: “This is a great result and I hope that the sentence handed down to Meakin acts as a warning to other offenders who are looking to come to Cheshire to commit crime.

“I’d like to thank all of the officers that were involved in this investigation, as a result of their hard work and the overwhelming evidence that they gathered, Meakin was left with no option but to plead guilty to all of the charges brought against him.”

"Further arrests have been made in relation to the incidents and one man and two women are currently on police bail with one man still outstanding."