Car crime gang member fails to win sentence cut at Appeal Court

A member of a Worksop gang which raided rural homes and garages across five counties - stealing goods worth nearly half-a-million pounds - has been told by top judges he cannot complain about his jail term.

Darren Jason Green was one of a three-man gang involved in the lucrative spate of burglaries.

He took part in 15 out of 38 raids on properties across Notts, Derbyshire, Humberside, West Yorkshire and South Yorkshire.

The 30-year-old, of Kedlestone Road, Worksop, was jailed for seven years and four months at Nottingham Crown Court in October, after admitting conspiracy to burgle.

He made a bid to challenge his sentence at London’s Criminal Appeal Court, arguing it was ‘too long’ given his limited involvement in the plot.

But his complaints were thrown out by three of the country’s most senior judges, who said there was ‘nothing wrong’ with the term he was handed

The court heard the gang raided properties between October 2013 and March 2014, although Green was not involved for all six months.

They targeted rural properties, outbuildings and garages, stealing keys before taking high-value vehicles, including cars and quad bikes.

Dismissing Green’s appeal bid, Judge Peter Collier QC said the sentence was ‘not excessive’ for his crime.

Sitting with Lady Justice Macur and Mr Justice Mitting, he added: “We are quite satisfied there are no arguable grounds for appeal against this sentence.”