A MAN has avoided jail after pleading guilty to being involved in a large operation of van thefts across the south of England and into Wales.

Derek Northcote, 51, of Wensley Road in Reading, pleaded guilty to stealing a Ford Transit van from Fareham near Southampton on May 16, 2019.

The theft was one of a series of thefts in which four other people have also been sentenced, including Northcote’s son, Dale Northcote.

READ MORE: Robber told he will ‘certainly’ face a prison sentence after targeting bakery

After a lengthy investigation by Thames Valley Police into the thefts of Transit vans and their contents between March 2018 and November 2019, it transpired that a large operation was taking place.

Frenny Green, 53, Jady Green, 49, and Simon Lopez, 40, all of Royal Avenue in Calcot, and Northcote, 32, of Westfield Road in Witney were sentenced at Reading Crown Court last month.

Green pleaded guilty to charges of one count of conspiring to commit theft offences, one count of attempted theft and one count of burglary. He was given four years and ten months in prison.

Green (Jady) pleaded guilty to two counts of handling stolen goods and was given a four-month prison sentence, suspended for a year and six months.

READ MORE: In the Dock: Man who had three-inch pocket knife among latest in court

Lopez pleaded guilty to one count of burglary, one count of attempted theft and seven counts of theft of a motor vehicle. He was sentenced to two years and ten months in prison.

Northcote (junior) pleaded guilty to nine counts of theft of a motor vehicle and was sentenced to two years and eight months in prison.

At Reading Crown Court today (February 14), Northcote was given a 12-month prison sentence suspended for 18 months.

He was also given 25 days of rehabilitation activity and has had a curfew imposed from 8pm to 6pm for six months which will be monitored electronically.

The court heard Northcote has 12 previous convictions and 31 offences included ‘numerous’ ones involving cars.

Mitigating, Jyoti Wood said the 51-year-old had a serious of medical conditions including lupus, adding that he also cares for his 73-year-old mother.

She added: “Sadly his sister passed away a few weeks ago at the age of 50 which is devastating for his mother and Mr Northcote himself and he is his mother’s main source of comfort.

“He was last in prison over 20 years ago when he was a much younger and fitter man.

READ MORE: Every police appeal in Berkshire so far this month

Sentencing, Judge Sarah Campbell said: “You played a part in what was ultimately an operation by Frenny Green to steal motor vehicles.

“Many of the van owners were individual traders who suffered significant financial losses as they were unable to trade.

“You did play a significant role.”