Two men sentenced following theft from motor vehicle and vehicle interference in Aldershot

Two men have been given a six month custodial sentence – suspended for 18 months after pleading guilty to theft from a motor vehicle, vehicle interference and fraud by false representation.

Michael Hanton, 34, and Leonard Jones, 37, both from Longacre, Ash, Surrey, pleaded guilty to theft from a motor vehicle, vehicle interference and fraud by false representation.

The court heard that between 12.05am and 7.35am on Sunday 22 January, Hanton and Jones broke into a car parked on Vixen Drive, Aldershot and stole items including ID documents, bank cards and cash from the glovebox.

The same day (22 January), the men used the stolen cards to buy cigarettes totalling £74.46 from a newsagents and items totalling £24.41 from McDonalds.

CCTV was obtained from the newsagents and following analysis, Michael Hanton and Leonard Jones were identified as being the two men using the stolen bank card.   

At 12.05am on Thursday, 26 January, police were called to a report of two men acting suspiciously around cars on Laws Terrace in Aldershot.

Officers attended and located Hanton and Jones walking along North Lane. A stop and search was carried out, during which officers found them in possession of items including gloves, a torch, a store card in another name, a bottle of perfume and an ipod.  

Both men were arrested and each charged with theft from a motor vehicle, vehicle interference and fraud by false representation.

Appearing at Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court on Friday, 27 January, both men pleaded guilty to all charges and were each sentenced to a six month custodial sentence - suspended for 18 months and ordered to undertake a drug rehabilitation course.

We know people don’t leave belongings in cars, or vehicles unlocked intentionally, which is why we continue to remind people to double check that nothing is left behind and physically check the car is locked.

Theft from motor vehicles is often opportunistic. Offenders will try door handles to see if it’s been left unlocked or smash windows to grab items left inside. Thieves aren’t picky, they will take whatever is there and look at it later to see if it’s of any value.

We also continue to urge people to report these incidents to us as every piece of information helps us build up our intelligence picture. Every report is reviewed and tells us what is going on and where so we can plan and target our resources better.

To make a report contact us on 101 or online via our website at https://www.hampshire.police.uk/

For more advice to help you keep your car safe from thieves visit our website: https://www.hampshire.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/keeping-vehicles-safe/vehicle-safe-and-sound/