Man jailed for handling stolen goods in Maidstone

Midaeugas Cesonis was jailed for two years and three months

A man has been jailed for 27 months for handling stolen goods in Maidstone.

Midaeugas Cesonis, 33 years-old, of Heathfield Road, Maidstone, was sentenced before Maidstone Crown Court on 14 January.

Number plate recognition

On 15 July 2012 a BMW was reported to have been stolen in Essex. Using a tracker fitted on the car, and automatic number plate recognition technology (ANPR), officers traced the vehicle to an address in Heathfield Road in Maidstone. They found the vehicle, with the engine still warm, displaying a false registration plate. A van registered to Cesonis was found to have been travelling with the BMW into Kent.

Charged

A search of the property uncovered two other BMWs that had also been reported stolen, one from London and one from Nottinghamshire. Cesonis was arrested and taken to Maidstone police station for questioning, and was later charged.

Following a trial at Maidstone Crown Court, Cesonis was found guilty of three counts of handling stolen goods, and sentenced to 27 months in prison, less seven months that he spent in prison on remand, awaiting trial.

'Serious offence' 

Investigating officer, Detective Constable Andrew Julier from the Kent Police burglary and vehicle crime team said: ‘All the vehicles that were stolen were a desirable brand, and were in the process of being broken down for parts when we made our arrests. Technology such as a factory-fitted trackers and automatic number plate recognition were key in bringing this case to court. Handling stolen goods is a serious offence, and that is reflected within the sentence that the judge passed.’

Posted on: 15 January 2013