A family allegedly behind a “conspiracy” to steal and chop up vans all over Bolton are set to face the courts.

One of the group, 26-year-old Sabrina Gallagher, has already admitted to her part in the criminal operation with her role having been making rent payments for “chop shops” across the town.

Bolton Crown Court heard this week how the criminal conspiracy had been controlled by members of the same family who mainly targeted vans, which were stolen and taken to the shops.

Justin Hayhoe, prosecuting, said: “In short, the defendant was involved in the stealing and chopping of motor vehicles.”

Mr Hayhoe told the court how many of the vans were owned by sole traders who needed them for work and that during their investigation, dubbed “Operation Amazonite” the police identified three chop shops.

The Bolton News: The case was heard on Bolton Crown CourtThe case was heard on Bolton Crown Court (Image: Newsquest)

One of which, on Halliwell Road, was known as the “Halliwell chop shop".

Over a three-to-four-month period, Gallagher, of Balmoral Road, Farnworth, made four payments to these shops coming to a total of £6,350 said to be on behalf of the rest of the group.

This had allegedly linked to the “main conspiracy”, according to Mr Hayhoe, which was run by a group of family members.

But Gallagher herself was paid only “very modest amounts” for her part in the operation.

Having been arrested in May 2021, she eventually pleaded guilty to converting criminal property.

Judge Tom Gilbart explained that given her limited role in the conspiracy and the fact she has no previous convictions, he intended to give Gallagher a community order rather than a full prison sentence.

Elizabeth Acker, defending, said she had no wish to “dissuade” the judge of this path.

But though he accepted Gallagher’s role was at the bottom end of the plot, Judge Gilbart reminded the court of how serious the rest of the alleged group’s crimes had been.

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Addressing the defendant, he said: “Criminal activity of the kind you have been engaged in must always be taken very seriously because it allows more serious criminality to take place.”

He added: “I accept you became involved in this enterprise because you got in over your head, you are not criminally sophisticated.”

Judge Gilbart ordered Gallagher to complete a 12-month community order along with 10 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

The rest of the group charged with involvement in the conspiracy are set to face a trial in January next year.