Wrexham man spared jail for role in Whitchurch farm theft

Stephen Baddeley, from Heol Abon in Cefn Mawr, Wrexham, was sentenced to eight months – suspended for 12 months – for his role in the theft of a quad bike from a Whitchurch farm, as well as a chainsaw.

Baddeley, 52, pleaded guilty to a charge of dishonestly receiving stolen goods when he drove a quad bike from Chirk to a garage behind his property.

Mold Crown Court heard on Thursday, November 3, that the quad bike had been stolen by unknown offenders, along with a jerry can, a chainsaw and an impact wrench, between May 24 and 27, 2020.

A neighbour near Baddeley's property said she heard a quad bike near the house, which she found unusual, and a tracking device on the vehicle confirmed this.

The court heard that the bike had been stolen shortly before midnight and taken to a destination in Chirk before being driven by Baddeley to his garage, which police confirmed by locating his mobile phone in the same location.

He initially ran away from his property when officers arrived, but the bike, jerry can and chainsaw were all found.

When he was arrested, he said the bike had been placed in his garage and he was waiting for someone to claim it before he rang police.

Sentencing him, Judge Niclas Parry told Baddeley he accepted he changed his plea, meaning no witnesses were needed, but said he knew the enterprise he was joining.

"Farmers work hard and they depend on trust of the community, and must leave equipment unsupervised," said Judge Parry.

"The offenders here knew about this as they travelled some distance, it was a property that was clearly targeted, planned and tools were taken and you were in on that.

"They knew they could take this property because you would store it for them.

"The matter is aggravated by the fact that you have previous for burglary and theft in the 1990s.

"You have a social conscience and a low risk of reoffending, and are hardworking."

Baddeley was also sentenced to 250 hours of unpaid work and will pay £750 in costs.