THREE men have been sentenced for their roles in a targeted £32,000 theft from a lorry parked outside Bradford’s Euroway Industrial Estate.

They wore high visibility vests to unload boxes of conditioner from the vehicle on Wharfedale Road while the driver was asleep in the cab, Bradford Crown Court heard.

The police were quickly on the scene just after midnight on December 14, 2021, and all three were apprehended, prosecutor Gerald Hendron said.

Richard Lawn, 39, of Balm Place, Holbeck, Leeds; Jacob Cross, 28, of Throstle Terrace, Middleton, Leeds; and Ellis Burgham, 21, of Gilpin Terrace, Upper Wortley, Leeds, all pleaded guilty to theft.

Judge Sophie McKone said it was a targeted group attack in a stolen van. The lorry driver could have woken at any moment and been confronted by the thieves.

Lawn had recruited Cross and had played a leading role in the well-planned enterprise.

Neither he nor Cross had shown any remorse, the judge said.

Lawn was jailed for 22 months and Cross for 12 months.

Burgham was sentenced to eight months imprisonment, suspended for 18 months, with 250 hours of unpaid work. 

Mr Hendron said that Cross was seen on CCTV driving on to Wharfedale Road in a stolen white van on cloned plates.

A security guard spotted the vehicle as the men began to unload boxes from the rear of the lorry.

All were wearing high-visibility vests to make their presence look legitimate, the court was told.

The police caught them red-handed and all were arrested at the scene. Lawn was hiding under the lorry trailer, Cross was in the van and Burgham was apprehended after a short chase on foot.

Mr Hendron said the contents of the lorry were valued at £32,000.

Lawn had driven to the scene in his VW Golf and calls had been exchanged between him and Cross.

Cross had admitted the offence on the basis that he wasn’t involved in the planning; he was ‘roped in’ as the driver.

Lawn had 23 previous convictions for offences including numerous matters of dishonesty.

Cross had six convictions for ten offences, including theft and driving while disqualified.

In mitigation for Lawn, it was stated that he had a partner and children and was working as a delivery driver. His motivation was financial and to pay off a drug debt.

He wanted apologise for his actions, saying he had let himself and his family down.

Cross was the getaway driver rather than ‘the driving force,’ his barrister said.

He had a partner and children and worked as a mechanic.

His mother was ill and relied on him to take her to hospital appointments.

Burgham lacked maturity, he was just 20 at the time, and had kept out of trouble since. He was of previous good character and very remorseful.

He was in a relationship and had a job waiting for him.

The court heard that a warrant was outstanding for Jamie Barker, 35, of Broom Gardens, Belle Isle, Leeds, who had pleaded guilty to the theft.

Judge McKone reserved sentencing to herself for when he appears before the court.