A GANG of Barnsley criminals who referred to themselves as ‘The A-Team’ before committing 21 burglaries across the town and its neighbouring communities during a month-long crime spree have been collectively jailed for more than 20 years.
Diaz Watson-Frederick, of Thurnscoe, and Kyle Snowball and Billy Wright, both of Darfield, used social media app Snapchat to plan and discuss their raids.
Another man implicated in the group chat was Connor Walker, of South Elmsall, who was not a member but was regularly referenced as playing a key role in the burglaries.
Conversations in the chat included references to police cars and chases, changing vehicle registration plates, police activity in the area, selling stolen vehicles and jewellery and planning of offences throughout Yorkshire.
A total of 21 raids occurred in Barnsley, Thurnscoe, Wakefield, Goole, Pontefract, Hemsworth, Skellow, Doncaster, Huddersfield, Denby Dale, Woolley, Emley and Kirkburton between February 4 and March 5.
Watson-Frederick, 18, was sentenced to six years and eight months’ imprisonment while Snowball, 25, was given a seven-year and seven-month term.
Wright, 20, was jailed for four years and 11 months and Walker, 25 was sentenced to eight years and nine months’ imprisonment.
Detective Sergeant Lewis Hibbert said: “These men have been responsible for burglaries across Yorkshire, stealing jewellery and vehicles valued at over £150,000.
“These were not spontaneous offences - they were organised by the group beforehand.
“They have bragged about their plans and shown little thought for the people whose properties they have targeted.”
The gang pleaded guilty on the first day of a scheduled trial at Leeds Crown Court last Friday.
The court was told that on February 21, a white Kia Sportage and an Audi were stolen in a burglary in the Doncaster area, and the Kia was used to commit further offences.
Then, on March 4, a police chase was authorised after the car was seen leaving the scene of a burglary in Woolley, near Barnsley, when all four defendants were seen in the car and were arrested.
Jewellery stolen in a burglary in Huddersfield was found in the car.
Det Sgt Hibberd added: “House burglary is literally an invasion of a person’s home and I know the concern it causes in our communities.
“I hope residents are reassured by the positive action that has been taken with these men now in prison for their crimes.”
Latest data shows that there were 1,650 reported burglary incidents across the entirety of Barnsley over the last 12 months.
The Barnsley West Neighbourhood Policing Team which covers areas such as Penistone responded to the most incidents last year, a total of 395.
However, Barnsley’s South East Neighbourhood Policing Team which oversees areas such as Goldthorpe, Thurnscoe and Bolton-upon-Dearne received 237 reports which accounted for eight per cent of all crimes.
This was the highest across the entire borough and double that of incidents in Barnsley Central.
Bosses admit that during this time of year they see a spike in the number of burglaries across Barnsley and they’re urging locals to be vigilant, especially as the night draws in.
Chief Superintendent Peter Thorp, the force lead for neighbourhood crime, said: “Our officers continue to work hard to ensure criminals don’t take advantage of these easy opportunities, and take away belongings that you would have worked hard for.
“We have a number of dedicated operations across the force currently ongoing, and that will be continuing as we head into Halloween and then the festive period.
“These include dedicated increased patrols in areas that have been identified to see higher rates of burglary or vehicle thefts and specialist teams who look at repeat offenders and patterns they tend to follow, ensuring they get they get them but behind bars.”
