Buyer paid thousands for vehicle stolen from Houghton estate, court told

A court has heard a buyer lost thousands of pounds after he bought a farm vehicle which was stolen in West Norfolk five years ago.

Lincoln Crown Court yesterday heard the Nissan Navara was advertised with different registration plates, three days after being stolen from the Houghton Hall estate in July 2013.

Phil Howes, prosecuting, said a buyer from Skegness later handed over £7,850 in cash for the vehicle after travelling to an address linked to Steven Abram, 60, of Whittlesey, Cambridgeshire.

Abram, along with Claire Harvey, 33, of Kirkstall, Leeds, and Andrew Smith, 45, of Somersham, Huntington, admitted handling stolen goods.

Mr Howes said three people had lost a total of £22,300 after buying stolen vehicles advertised on either Autotrader or eBay.

All the vehicles had their registration plates changed and pre-paid phones were used during the transactions.

Karen Walton, mitigating, for Smith told the court he was supporting his partner who had been diagnosed with incurable cancer.

The court heard Abram had also developed health difficulties in the five years since the offence, and Harvey was currently on benefits.

Smith was sentenced to 18 months probation supervision, Abram was ordered to carry out 130 hours of unpaid work in the community and Harvey was sentenced to 12 months probation supervision.

Judge Andrew Eastall told them: “If nothing else I hope the fact this has been hanging over you for so long has taught you a lesson.”