Six in Liverpool crown court over car thefts
SIX men appeared in court charged over a string of violent car robberies.
Some appeared in person at Liverpool crown court yesterday while others watched proceedings on a video-link from Lancaster Farms Young Offenders Institute or HMP Liverpool where they are being held.
Anthony Akins, 19, of Aylton Road, Huyton; Jamie Nee, 22, of no fixed address; Jason Nee, 20, of Lynstead Road, Dovecot; Jamie Williams, 18, of Woodlands Road, Huyton; and Gary Moffatt, 21, of The Spinney, Stockbridge Village are all charged with conspiracy to commit aggravated burglary, conspiracy to commit burglary and conspiracy to steal vehicles.
Moffatt also stands charged with another burglary and vehicle theft, both in North Wales, while the final defendant Craig Murphy, 18, of no fixed address, is charged with seven offences of conspiracy to commit aggravated burglary.
They were all arrested after a series of dawn raids last month.
More than 160 officers were involved in the operation that saw officers strike at 14 addresses in Huyton, Whiston, Anfield, Toxteth, West Derby and Newton-le-Willows as well as going into local prisons to arrest some suspects already in custody for other offences.
Those arrested were taken to police stations across Merseyside before being interviewed and, in the case of the six defendants, charged.
The raids were the end of a long intelligence-gathering operation by police after they saw a spike in the number of 'burst in' robberies.
Home owners with good cars parked on the drive saw a masked gang smash their way into the house through the front or back and steal the keys to the vehicle.
Several victims were attacked with weapons.
Judge John Roberts yesterday adjourned the case until a plea and case management hearing on October 1.
The court pencilled in a prospective trial, lasting an estimated four to six weeks, for the week beginning January 10, 2011.
All of the defendants were remanded in custody.