Warwick man jailed for selling stolen car parts on eBay

Warwick Crown Court heard how 48-year-old David Campbell used workshops in Montague Road, Warwick, and a farm at Ansty, near Coventry, to break down stolen BMWs.

Campbell, who lived in Red Lane, Burton Green, pleaded guilty to the three extra charges of handling stolen goods on the day he was due to be sentenced for a series of other offences dating back to May last year.

Judge Alan Parker ruled he had received a benefit of £109,207 from his crimes and assets of £58,869 which he was ordered to pay back within six months - or face a further 20 months in prison.

The Warwick and Ansty offences involved car parts from 23 stolen BMWs with a combined value of £493,750.

These came to light as a result of a police investigation into a violent armed robbery in Cheshire in 2010 during which a couple had been attacked in their home at knifepoint by four robbers who tied them to a radiator before stealing their BMW.

Prosecutor Simon Hunka said Campbell had been to prison in the past with 21 previous convictions for 58 offences.

Mr Hunka said it was suspected a car stolen during the armed robbery in Cheshire had been dismantled and disposed of by Campbell at Mobbs Wood Farm.

Early last year a police officer had visited the premises to purchase a brown leather BMW seat, which it was then confirmed came from the Cheshire car.

Meanwhile West Midlands Police also became involved in investigating Campbell following the theft of a BMW from an address in Knowle.

The owner of that vehicle alerted police after recognising a scratch on a bonnet being offered for sale through Campbells eBay account: BMW and Mini Parts.

During a raid Campbell was also found to have £4,700 in cash on him and a further £500 in his farm office,

In mitigation, Richard Davenport said; “The defendant appears before you today a broken man. He has worked in the scrap car and and wrecking business since leaving school.”

Judge Parker said; “You profited very significantly from a continuing course of criminal conduct. No sooner were you out of prison than you were back to your old trade.

“You were well known among the criminal fraternity as a route through which stolen BMWs could be sold.”