Between November 2, 2019, and May 18, 2020, Leroy Paul Lovatt, 44, previously of Holyrood Road, Northampton, and Mark Daniel Rogers, 36, of no fixed abode, committed several thefts at Whilton Locks, Fawsley, Flore, Milton Malsor, Harlestone, Hanging Houghton, Pitsford, Winwick, Chapel Brampton, Barton Seagrave, and central Northampton, targeting rural communities and building sites where they stole plant machinery, tools, and trailers.

During this period, Richard Whiteoak, 33, previously of Fitzsewin Court, Northampton, admitted to handling a stolen Ford Ranger vehicle which had been taken from a farmer’s field.

Evidence uncovered during the investigation showed that Lovatt and Rogers had planned these offences meticulously, showing the organised nature of their criminal enterprise, and in total, the goods they stole were worth approximately £180,000.

All three offenders were initially charged with conspiracy to steal.

Following an 11-day trial which ended on Monday, (June 26), Lovatt and Rogers were unanimously found guilty by a jury at Northampton Crown Court. Whiteoak entered a guilty plea mid-trial to the offence of handling stolen goods and this was accepted by the Crown Prosecution Service.

All three men will be sentenced at Northampton Crown Court on September 15, 2023.