SIX people have been charged with a string of offences following an extensive investigation into a crime spree that swept through a Suffolk town last year.
Residents in Leiston demanded action after continual problems surrounding anti-social behaviour, thefts and burglaries.
The local police launched a crackdown and now six people will go before magistrates tomorrow, charged with various Proceeds Of Crime Act (POCA) and handling stolen goods offences.
Erin Savery, 21, of Alexandra Road, Ipswich, faces three counts of handling stolen goods - dishonestly undertaking or assisting in the retention, removal, disposal or realisation of stolen goods relating to items including framed pictures, a camera, a games console, an amber necklace and bank cards, plus two laptop computers, WH Smith vouchers and Waterstones vouchers belonging to Leiston Middle School.
Scott Abbott, 21, of Fairfield Place, Saxmundham, has been charged with converting criminal property – exchanging stolen WH Smith vouchers for tobacco and iTunes vouchers.
Martyn Pearce, 22, of Lincoln Avenue, Saxmundham, faces five counts of possession of criminal property – relating to items including laptop computers, a games console, an amber necklace, bank cards, store vouchers, a purse, a wallet, a Toby jug, vases, a barometer, framed pictures and a camera.
Luke Squire, 26, of Farrow Close, Leiston, has been charged with two counts of converting criminal property – relating to the sale of two stolen laptop computers.
A 17-year-old boy from Saxmundham, who cannot be named for legal reasons, faces four counts of possession of criminal property – relating to items including a games console, two laptop computers, store vouchers, an amber necklace, a wallet, a purse, bank cards, a Toby jug, vases, a barometer, framed pictures and a camera.
He has also been charged with converting criminal property, exchanging stolen WH Smith vouchers for goods.
Another 17-year-old boy from Saxmundham has been charged with converting criminal property – using stolen WH Smith vouchers to purchase tobacco – and two counts of possession of criminal property, relating to the vouchers and a laptop computer.
All of the charges, with the exception of the handling stolen goods ones for Erin Savery, have been made under the Proceeds of Crime Act.
All six people are due to appear before magistrates in Ipswich tomorrow.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here