Driver caught with stolen caravan headed for traveller site

A GETAWAY driver was caught redhanded - with a stolen caravan.

- By Post & Times reporter

Jimmy O'Brien played a central role in the foiled heist to steal an £18,000 caravan from Hales Hall Caravan Park, in Cheadle, and take it to Dale Farm - once known as the ‘largest unauthorised traveller site in Europe’But the 28-year-old and the caravan only got as far as the M1 in February 2024.

Prosecutor Joshua Daley told Stokeon-Trent Crown Court: “At around 11.30pm at Hales Hall Caravan Park, a guest awoke to the sound of grinding. ‘The caravan next to him belonged to the victim, a Fendt Diamond 700 caravan worth approximately £18,000. The witness saw three to four males with covered faces surrounding the vehicle. They were, of course, stealing it.

“Shortly before midnight, the defendant arrived at the site driving a 4x4 Mitsubishi Outlander. At 11.58pm, the stolen caravan was attached to his vehicle. He was then seen by another guest driving off at speed. Police were called.

“At 12.37am, police became aware of a caravan matching the description of the stolen vehicle travelling eastbound and, subsequently, southbound on the M1. The defendant was found to be driving the Mitsubishi when he was stopped by the police. A number of items were found in the car, including bolt cutters, a crowbar, screwdrivers, and false registration plates.