Five men have been imprisoned after being sentenced at Lincoln Crown Court on Friday for their roles in a rural crime gang. The group was linked to 13 burglaries and three thefts across Lincolnshire, with losses estimated by officers at almost £800,000. These incidents included the theft of three quad bikes from the Royal National Lifeboat Institution (RNLI).
Zamuel Mallinson, 35, received a sentence of six years and two months. Benjamin Barnes, 40, was sentenced to four years and four months, while Richard Rowles, 35, received three years and three months. Jordan Howard, 29, was given two years and one month, and Ryan Mumby, 32, was sentenced to three years imprisonment. All were sentenced for conspiring to commit burglary and conspiring to steal from another.
Detective Sergeant Adam Petty of Lincolnshire Police stated that the group "caused significant harm" to communities and showed "a complete disregard for others," particularly with the thefts from the RNLI charity. The gang reportedly filmed themselves carrying out the burglaries and laughing, and frequently used older 4x4 vehicles with cloned registration plates, travelling at night while wearing face coverings and heavy clothing.
Jolon Mallinson, 30, pleaded guilty to three offences and will be sentenced at a later date for conspiring to commit burglary and conspiring to steal from another.