THREE men have been jailed for their part in haulage container thefts to the value of more than £2million.

Kent Police’s Organised Crime Unit investigated the organised theft of high value HGV containers and their loads out of Kent ports.

During their investigation they established that a company calling itself ‘Tudor Transport’ and it’s boss, Tony Tudor, were completely bogus.

Tudor Transport was subcontracted to deliver nine containers of which they delivered just four. They also delivered two additional containers after removing part of their load, and the remaining three containers were stolen in their entirety.

The three stolen containers were full of batteries, specialist engine oils and a quantity of office furniture. All of these containers were recovered empty during a search at Codham Hall Farm in Essex when all three men were arrested.

All three men pleaded guilty at Canterbury Crown Court and were given prison sentences totalling more than 12 years.

Peter Frasle, 38, from Dagenham, and Mark Owens, 45, from Rainham, Essex, were both charged with conspiracy to steal. They both pleaded guilty to the charges. Frasle was sentenced to six years imprisonment while Owens was given a five-and-half-year prison sentence.

Jason Beddings, 39 from Grays, Essex, pleaded guilty to handling stolen goods and subsequently received a sentence of 12 months imprisonment.

On sentencing, Kent Police’s Det Sgt John McDermott from the organised crime unit, said: “This was a sophisticated and potentially highly lucrative criminal enterprise. I am pleased with the court's decision to proffer lengthy criminal sentences for this sort of criminality.

"It will hopefully send a clear message that this sort of offence will not be tolerated by the police or the judiciary.”