Quartet charged over vehicle theft series in New Forest and Southampton

FOUR people are due to appear in court in connection with a string of offences related to vehicle thefts across the New Forest and Southampton.

A set of number plates stolen from a car on Station Road in Lymington during the night of Monday 25th March was among the incidents that led to the charges against the two men and two teenagers.

Number plates were also taken from a car on Glenwood Avenue in Southampton during the following night.

Then, in the early hours of last Friday, four people attempted to steal a van on Valentine Avenue in the city.

It was damaged and threats were made to the occupant, a man in his 20s, but no one was injured.

A vehicle was also reported to have been stolen in Dorset.

Around 12.30am on Saturday, officers located a vehicle of interest in an ongoing investigation on the M3.

It was driven off at speed as its occupants threw items at the pursuing patrol car.

After a short pursuit, the vehicle came to a stop and the occupants – two men and two teenagers – were arrested.

Jordan Diaper (21), of Franklyn Avenue, Southampton, has now been charged with burglary, possessing a class B controlled drug, aggravated vehicle taking and dangerous driving, and two counts of receiving stolen goods.

Bradley Paddick (20), of Montague Avenue, Southampton, has been charged with two counts of receiving stolen goods, three counts of aggravated vehicle taking and dangerous driving, driving without a licence, failing to provide a specimen for analysis, dangerous driving and burglary.

A 16-year-old boy and a 15-year-old boy from Southampton, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were charged with burglary, aggravated vehicle taking and dangerous driving, and two counts of receiving stolen goods.

The 15-year-old was also charged with possessing a class B controlled drug.

All four were remanded in custody to appear at Basingstoke Magistrates’ Court tomorrow (Friday).