A gang of “professional criminals” whose crime led to a business collapsing with job losses have been jailed for a total of nearly 11 years.
The owner of the now defunct North Yorkshire company was so terrified of the West Yorkshire raiders that she wouldn’t give police a statement or the value of the goods they loaded onto a lorry and drove off in the middle of the night, York Crown Court heard.
The Recorder of York, Judge Sean Morris, said: “I think she was right (to be terrified). Her premises had been targeted by criminals.”
"Professional" criminal and burglar Shane Anthony Ali (Image: North Yorkshire Police)
He told the five-man gang: “This offence was a sophisticated, planned commercial burglary. This was no smash and grab. This was cool, collected, competent crime committed by professionals. You are all experienced criminals with bad records.”
The company, in an isolated position between Harrogate and Blubberhouses, had been founded three weeks before the raid at 2.40am on November 4, 2025.
"Professional" criminal and burglar Marcus Paul Durant (Image: North Yorkshire Police)
The financial loss, insurance consequences, the damage and the need to hire vehicles caused by the burglary had been the catalyst that had started the “slow decline” that, combined with other factors, ended with the business folding, the judge said.
Shane Ali, 33, of no fixed address, was jailed for 31 months.
James Coffey, 48, of New Village Way, Churwell, Bradford, was jailed for 30 months to be served after the three years and three months he is currently serving for vehicle thefts in West Yorkshire.
Marcus Durant, 31, of East Park Street, Morley, was jailed for 32 months.
Travis Neagle, 32, of Arthur Grove, Batley, was jailed for 22 months.
"Professional" criminal and burglar Lewis Jackson (Image: North Yorkshire Police)
Lewis Jackson, 34, of no fixed address, was jailed for 20 months.
All five pleaded guilty to burglary and theft of a lorry and Coffey also pleaded guilty to driving whilst disqualified.
"Professional" criminal and burglar Travis Koby Neagle (Image: North Yorkshire Police)
Stephen Littlewood, prosecuting, said the business was so new it had yet to install CCTV.
The gang arrived in a car, got into the compound, loaded pallets onto a lorry using a forklift truck and drove the HGV off, as well as their own car.
But the depot manager arrived at the business within minutes of the gang leaving, alerted police and officers spotted the gang as they made their escape via the A59 towards their West Yorkshire base.
Susanne Proctor for Ali said he had learning difficulties and was suggestible.
She handed in a psychologist’s report on him.
At the time of the raid, he was working as a car washer.
Matthew Harding, for Coffey, said he was remorseful and had managed to stay out of trouble for 16 years.
He had an accident that led to him taking drugs, alcohol and gambling and the gambling led to his life spiralling downwards.
John Bottomley, for Durant, said he had had a job until he pleaded guilty to the raid.
Daisy Wrigley, for Neagle, said he had gone along with the raid to earn a few hundred pounds.
His role had been limited to loading the truck and he deeply regretted his actions.
Safar Saram, for Jackson, said he had let his family down.