News

Charges in scrap metal yard clampdown

By Jon Nurse
December 06, 2012

Men from Woodley, Tilehurst and Finchampstead are among 20 people charged in a police operation targeting illegal activity at scrap metal yards.

Over the past two weeks, a specialist team of detectives from Operation Symphony has charged owners and staff at five yards for 146 offences in Berkshire, Oxfordshire and Hertfordshire.

The operation is investigating the handling of stolen goods and money laundering at scrap metal dealers.

Following a warrant executed at a yard in Beenham in May:

Clayton Wheeler, 20, of Helmsdale Close, Tilehurst, has been charged with four counts of attempting to acquire/use/possess criminal property and four counts of attempting to conceal/disguise/transfer/remove criminal property. He has been bailed to appear at Reading Magistrates’ Court on Tuesday, March 5.

Stephen Wheeler, 49, of Helmsdale Close, Tilehurst, has been charged with four counts of attempting to acquire/use/possess criminal property and four counts of attempting to conceal/disguise/transfer/remove criminal property.

He has been bailed to appear at Reading Magistrates’ on March 5.
Following a raid of a yard in Wokingham in May:

Alan Masterman, 26, of Whittle Close, Finchampstead, has been charged with one count of attempting to acquire/use/possess criminal property and one count of attempting to conceal/disguise/transfer/remove criminal property. He has been bailed to appear at Slough Magistrates’ Court on Monday, December 17.

Lee Webb, 30, of Drovers Way, Woodley, has been charged with six counts of attempting to acquire/use/possess criminal property and six counts of attempting to conceal/disguise/transfer/remove criminal property. He has been bailed to appear at Slough Magistrates’ Court on Monday, December 17.

Lee Hussey, 30, of 3 Hornbean Drive, Lower Earley, has been charged with one count of attempting to acquire/use/possess criminal property and one count of attempting to conceal/disguise/transfer/remove criminal property.

He has been bailed to appear at Slough Magistrates’ on Monday, December 17.

Senior investigating officer Detective Inspector Rodger Cartwright said: “These charges are part of a complex investigation that my team has been conducting for many months. The theft of metal has an immense negative impact on communities and businesses and was a particular risk to the country during the Olympic Games."