Police release capture footage as thugs jailed

After a 40-minute chase, the men ditched the stolen Range Rover but failed to get away from police. (s)

THIS is the moment police captured two of six violent thugs who had gone on a two-month crime spree across the region.

Warwickshire Police released video footage of officers chasing the stolen Range Rover through Coventry's streets after all six had admitted their roles in a series of burglaries and robberies.

The group, all from Coventry, had targeted high performance cars across the West Midlands, Warwickshire and Leicestershire between November 2010 and January 2011. They were sentenced to a total of almost 36 years in prison at Warwick Crown Court on Friday (February 17).

In the video, a Range Rover can be seen stopping and reversing at police before speeding off. One police car was so violently rammed that two officers were taken to hospital and at one point a passenger can be seen throwing objects at the cars.

The Range Rover finally came to a halt in Copper Beech Drive, Foleshill, which led to the arrests of two of the group - Terrance Harris and Simon Badger.

It had earlier been stolen from a house in Long Itchington, Warwickshire along with an Audi A5, which managed to evade police.

DI Pete Hill from Warwickshire Police, who led the investigation, said: "I cannot begin to imagine what it must have been like for the terrified victims and witnesses in this case. It must have been absolutely horrific.

"I am really pleased the victims and their families will all know that for the next few years nobody else will have to go through the same ordeal that they had to endure.

"In the eyes of the victims and their families no prison sentence will probably ever seem enough."

Visit www.youtube.com/watch?v=8ZgDBTdCZZ0 to watch the video.

The Guilty Six:

Simon Badger, 20, was sentenced to eight years for conspiracy to commit burglary, conspiracy to rob and dangerous driving.

Terrance Harris, 22, was sentenced to eight years for conspiracy to commit burglary and conspiracy to rob.

Christopher French, 27, was sentenced to three years for robbery, dangerous driving, driving whilst disqualified and failing to provide a breath specimen.

John Shanley, 25, was sentenced to five years and four months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to steal and conspiracy to rob.

Daniel Young, 22, was sentenced to eight years for conspiracy to steal, conspiracy to commit burglary and conspiracy to rob, theft of a transit van, failing to stop, driving with no insurance, and driving otherwise than in accordance with a licence.

John Woodman, 35, was sentenced to three years and six months for handling stolen goods with an estimated value of over £160,000.

One of the men tries to run from police after ditching the stolen Range Rover in Copper Beech Drive, Foleshill. (s)