Two men have been jailed following a series of high value thefts from cars in west Kent.
Between October 2022 and April 2023, Michael McTigue and William French stole property including golf equipment, tools and an antique violin valued at more than £10,000.
McTigue and French targeted vehicles which had been left at car parks, in areas including Hildenborough and Sevenoaks.
They were arrested on 12th May 2023, during an investigation by the West Kent Victim Based Crime Team, when search warrants were executed at three properties in Berkshire and south-east London.
The searches led to the recovery of more than 300 golf clubs, as well as musical equipment including 11 guitars.
Officers gathered evidence which also showed French had contacted a specialist musical instrument shop in Oxford, shortly after the theft of the violin.
He travelled to the shop on 18th April where the violin was sold. The item was later recovered and returned to the victim.
Both men were charged with conspiracy to steal. French was also charged with four counts of theft.
Both men will now be subject to investigations under the Proceeds of Crime Act
McTigue, 36, of McMillan Steet, Deptford, London and French, 36, of Spackman Close, Thatcham, Berkshire pleaded guilty at Maidstone Crown Court.
On Tuesday 3 October, McTigue was sentenced to two years and six months’ imprisonment and French was jailed for three years.
Investigating officer, PC Stuart Hosiene, said ‘Our investigation has linked at least 23 separate offences to McTigue and French. They would target multi-story car parks or private complexes, before smashing the windows of vehicles and stealing items of high value’.
‘Both men have an extensive criminal history for these types of offences, often involving the theft of golfing equipment worth several thousand pounds. Whilst we have thankfully been able to return a number of these items to their rightful owners, sadly much of what they stole is still missing’.
