Evington man jailed for handling stolen goods

A storage unit filled with stolen goods was uncovered by police following the arrest of an Evington man.

On 18 March last year, James Ward was arrested by police. When he was searched, officers found a key to a storage unit in the Northfields area of Leicester. When it was opened, officers found items – including furniture, electronics and power tools – with a combined value of more than £350,000.

Further enquiries linked Ward, 35 and 32-year-old Lance Ball to a spate of burglaries from other storage units at locations across Leicestershire between July 2022 and March 2023.

On Tuesday (17 September) Ward, of Avonside Drive, appeared at Leicester Crown Court, where he pleaded guilty to one count of handling stolen goods. He was sentenced to 27 months’ imprisonment.

Ball, of Boulter Crescent in Wigston, also pleaded guilty to one count of handling stolen goods and was sentenced to 24 months’ imprisonment, suspended for 24 months.

PC Eliot Bates, one of the investigating officers, said: “We know the impact that burglaries and theft has on our communities and particularly the loss of power tools can have on people’s livelihoods.

“Following their arrest, a thorough investigation was undertaken which has thankfully led to James Ward being sentenced to a term of imprisonment for his crimes. I hope this outcome will provide some reassurance to the public that those responsible will be brought to justice.”

Further advice and information about protecting your home, business and vehicle can be found by visiting https://www.leics.police.uk/cp/crime-prevention/