WATCH: Group jailed after "terrorising" rural communities in Lincolnshire and stealing 3 RNLI quad bikes
Five members of a prolific organised crime group have been jailed after a series of burglaries across Lincolnshire – including the theft of three RNLI vehicles.
Lincolnshire Police said the group admitted their involvement in “a coordinated series of offences which saw farms, rural businesses, charities and other premises targeted for the theft of high-value machinery, vehicles and equipment.”
In total, the investigation linked the offenders to 13 burglaries and three thefts, with losses valued at £785,042.07.
One of the offences was the burglary of an RNLI facility in Burgh Le Marsh in May 2023.
The police investigation found that members of the group had noticed three newly-purchased RNLI quad bikes being transported through Lincolnshire, and followed the delivery vehicle to establish where the machines would be stored.
"CCTV footage and mobile phone evidence later showed the site was monitored before the offenders returned under the cover of darkness to carry out the theft,” a force spokesperson said. “After forcing entry to the compound and storage unit, the group stole all three quad bikes, which had been purchased to support lifesaving operations along the Lincolnshire coastline.
“Investigators gathered extensive evidence linking members of the group to the burglary, including mobile phone location data, CCTV footage, forensic evidence and videos recovered from seized devices.”
Detective Sergeant Adam Petty, from the Serious and Organised Crime Unit, commented: "The theft of the RNLI quad bikes demonstrates the group's complete disregard for others. These vehicles had been purchased to support an organisation dedicated to saving lives along our coastline, yet they were targeted purely for financial gain."
Members of the group were sentenced at Lincoln Crown Court today (Friday September 11) – with all five defendants pleading guilty to offences connected to the investigation.
Those sentenced were:
• Zamuel Mallinson, 35, of Drigh Road, Brookenby, Market Rasen, has been sentenced to six years and two months imprisonment.
• Benjamin Barnes, 40, of Priority Crescent, Scunthorpe, has been sentenced to four years and four months imprisonment.
• Richard Rowles, 35, of Edinburgh Road, Brookenby, has been sentenced to three years and three months imprisonment.
• Jordan Howard, 29, of Dale View, Grimsby, has been sentenced to two years and one month imprisonment.
• Ryan Mumby, 32, of Kingsley Grove, Nunsthorpe, has been sentenced to three years imprisonment.
• Jolon Mallinson, 30, of Orford Close, Brookenby, also pleaded guilty to three offences. He will be sentenced at a later date.
“The investigation began after Zamuel Mallinson was arrested in connection with three significant offences, including the theft of the three RNLI quad bikes,” the force spokesperson explained. “At the time, the incidents were being investigated separately.
“After identifying potential links between the offences, Lincolnshire Police's Serious and Organised Crime Unit took over the enquiries and launched a wider investigation into the group's criminal activity.
“A key breakthrough came through the examination of three mobile phones seized from Zamuel Mallinson. Officers carried out detailed forensic analysis of the devices, alongside call and location data, working closely with police analysts to identify patterns of offending and links between suspects.”
Working closely with the CPS Complex Case Unit, officers built a comprehensive evidential picture of the group's offending. While the investigation identified several more linked offences, a decision was made to proceed with 13 burglaries and three thefts that provided the strongest overall evidential case.
“Officers established that the group, led by Zamuel Mallinson from Brookenby and Benjamin Barnes from Scunthorpe, was operating in a highly organised and coordinated manner,” the police spokesperson said.
“They frequently used older 4x4 vehicles fitted with cloned registration plates and carried out extensive planning before committing offences. The group typically travelled at night, wearing gloves, heavy clothing and face coverings to conceal their identities and minimise the risk of detection.”
Detective Sergeant Adam Petty added: "This was a sophisticated and highly organised group which caused significant harm to victims across our rural communities.
"Their offending was carefully planned and carried out with little regard for the impact on those they targeted. Farms, businesses, charities and individuals were left facing substantial financial losses and disruption as a result of their actions.”
Lincolnshire Police said the sentencing concludes “a significant investigation into organised rural crime” and highlights the force’s “ongoing commitment to identifying, disrupting and prosecuting those responsible for targeting rural communities”.