Motorbike thieves who stole dozens of vehicles in two-month West Midlands spree sentenced
One bike was stolen to order then sold for £1,850
Four men have been sentenced for their roles in the theft or attempted theft of 27 vehicles in Dudley, South Staffordshire and Wolverhampton.
The thieves worked together to steal dozens of vehicles, primarily motorbikes, between May 14 and July 8 last year, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard on Monday (October 19).
Judge Arthur Butterfield KC said the total value of the stolen vehicles came to £124,000. In all 27 vehicles were either stolen or “the subject of attempted theft”, he said, the “vast majority” of them motorbikes although cars and vans were also targeted.
The four conspirators were Clive Halford, 32 and of Crofters Walk, Wolverhampton; Simon Brookes, 35 and of Clarkes Lane, Willenhall; Joshua Hasznosi, 25 and of Catisfield Crescent, Wolverhampton; and Scott Round, 40 and of Sandon Road, Wolverhampton.
The thieves would work in pairs to steal motorbikes. They would break the steering lock before one man mounted the bike to steer while another pushed it, sometimes from atop another motorbike.
They were able to target some vehicles that were parked up where the owners believed them to be safe, the judge said, and the thefts showed “no small degree” of planning and preparation.
Some of the thefts were recorded on CCTV.
Cars and vans were targeted too; broken glass found at one scene indicated a van’s window had been broken.
Police identified Halford as a suspect and upon searching his phone discovered numerous incriminating messages between the conspirators as well as photos of stolen vehicles and the motorbikes used in the thefts, Judge Butterfield said.
Round admitted conspiracy to steal motor vehicles at a plea and trial preparation hearing, and the three co-defendants pleaded guilty at trial.
The judge said Round got Halford to steal one specific bike to order and sold it for £1,850. Hasznosi admitted being directly involved in five thefts.
Halford had been given a suspended sentence for driving whilst disqualified on April 21 of 2025, weeks before the conspiracy began.
Brookes listened to Monday’s sentencing hearing remotely by video link from HMP Birmingham while his co-defendants attended in person.
For conspiracy to steal motor vehicles, Judge Butterfield sentenced lead offender Halford to four years in prison and Brookes to 27 months. It is expected that both men will serve a third of their sentences before being released on licence.
Halford must also serve the 12-week suspended sentence, concurrent to the new sentence.
The judge sentenced Round to 18 months and Hasznosi to 22 months but suspended both sentences for two years. He noted Hasznosi’s youth compared to the co-defendants and an “offending gap” in Round’s recent history.
He imposed probation requirements on Hasznosi and Round as well as unpaid work requirements; Hasznosi must complete 130 hours and Round 100. In addition Hasznosi was ordered not to contact any of the co-defendants for 12 months.
Round must also pay compensation of £1,850 for the bike that was sold.