Two admit Facebook Marketplace motorbike thefts

Two men have pleaded guilty to burgling off-road bikes from a farm after spotting one for sale on Facebook Marketplace.

David King, Sheldon Meaker, and a third man drove from Bristol to Kenfig Hill, Bridgend county, in a stolen van after equipping themselves with bolt cutters, masks and gloves, Swansea Crown Court heard.

The trio were seen stealing a scrambler from a shed in the early hours of 23 April.

One was caught at the farm, a second fled across a field and a third ended up underneath a farmer's pick-up.

The court heard the theft was planned with the raiders travelling more than 60 miles (97km).

David King, 18, of Hillside Road, Bristol, and Sheldon Meaker, 21, of Arnolds Mead, in Corsham, Wiltshire, both pleaded guilty to burglary with intent to steal.

The court was told a third man had been arrested in connection with the burglary but had not yet been charged.

Regan Walters, prosecuting, said at about 02:30 BST on 23 April the occupants of the farm noticed masked and hooded men in the yard.

When CCTV was checked the intruders were seen pushing off-road bikes from a storage shed toward the farm's main gate.

The alarm was raised and family members rushed outside.

The court heard King was stopped near the farm entrance but the other two made off on the stolen bikes.

They were chased by the farmer in his Ford Ranger.

King, who was dressed in black with a ski mask and bolt cutters, said he and his accomplices had travelled from Bristol to take the bikes.

The court heard they had seen one for sale on Facebook Marketplace and tracked down the farm's location through a computer IP (internet protocol) address.

The prosecution said while police were on their way to the burglary they received reports of a crash near the farm.

When an officer went to it they found Meaker stuck under the farmer's pick-up.

Two stolen motorcycles were in a roadside ditch.

The court heard the front of the Ford was damaged, and the driver seemed shocked. On being questioned he said a second biker had run across the fields.

The stolen van used by the burglars to get to Kenfig Hill was found in a lane near the farm, the court heard.

In the vehicle was another set of bolt cutters.

When police examined the farm and storage shed they found padlocks cut so the intruders could get to the bikes.

Harry Dickens, defending King, said his client was remorseful and knew what he had done was wrong.

He said the teenager's cannabis use had affected his life and he was homeless at the time of the burglary.

King was "hanging around" with the others, Mr Dickens said, and went to Bristol looking to earn money before getting involved in the burglary.

The barrister said King's mother had arranged an apprenticeship for him after his release from prison.

Richard Ace, defending Meaker, said the defendant had missed his daughter's birth three weeks ago and realised he would probably miss the first year of her life.

He said Meaker was sorry and needed to change.

The court heard King had no previous convictions while Meaker had previous convictions for taking a vehicle without consent, handling stolen goods and inflicting grievous bodily harm. He also had a youth caution for burglary.

Judge Paul Thomas said Meaker's past convictions were an aggravating factor while King was of previous good character.

Meaker was jailed for 16 months, while King was sentenced to 12 months, suspended for two years.

King was also ordered to complete a rehabilitation course and do 150 hours of unpaid work.