EIGHT men involved in stealing high value equipment from farms across Cheshire have been sentenced.

The gang appeared at Knutsford Crown Court on Tuesday after admitting to stealing more than £350,000 worth of machinery including tractors, trailers, quad bikes and even a speedboat.

Judge Nicholas Woodward told the men from Winsford and Northwich – Peter Illidge, Christopher Smalley, Liam McGuigan, Shaun Higgins, Paul Edwards, Jamie Meredith, Ben Gee and Andrew Devine – the thefts had deprived farmers and contractors of equipment which was vital to their livelihood.

He added: “These offences had all the hallmarks of professional and lucrative crime and were executed with planning, foresight and determination.”

The thefts affected the farming community across Cheshire, as farmers who relied on the equipment for their livelihoods saw work disrupted and insurance premiums rise.

Three men were also found guilty of attempting to burgle the home of convicted loan shark Paul Nicholson in Delamere.

Det Insp Liam Furlong headed up the team of officers from western and eastern areas of Cheshire Police who carried out the investigation.

He said: “These thefts affected the local farming community greatly.

“It had an impact on the livelihoods not only of the victims of the crimes but other farmers who saw a rise in insurance costs and became fearful their farms would be targeted next.”

Illidge, 27, of Warren Avenue, Lostock Gralam, pleaded guilty to ten counts of theft and two of handling stolen goods. He was sentenced to three years in prison, with a six months consecutive sentence for attempting to break into a garage at Delamere.

Smalley, 27, of Fernlea Rd, Northwich, pleaded guilty to seven counts of theft and two counts of handling stolen goods. He received a three year prison sentence.

McGuigan, 20, formerly of Hesketh Drive, Lostock Gralam, admitted eight thefts and was sent to prison for two years, with a six months consecutive sentence for being involved in the attempted burglary at Delamere.

Edwards, 27, of David Street, Northwich, admitted six thefts. He was sentenced to 18 months in prison.

Higgins, 39, of Braemar Avenue , Northwich, pleaded guilty to two counts of handling stolen property. He was given a 12 months sentence, suspended for 12 months with 250 hours of unpaid work. He was also ordered to pay £250 costs.

Meredith, 22, of Rookery Rise, Winsford, pleaded guilty to one theft offence and received a 12 months sentence suspended for 18 months with 250 hours of unpaid work and £250 costs.

The sentence took into account an unrelated offence of stealing copper wire.

Gee, 21, of Eddisbury Way, Northwich, admitted two thefts and received a 12 months sentence suspended for 18 months with 250 hours unpaid work and £250 costs.

Devine, 24, from Nantwich pleaded guilty to one attempted theft charge. He was made the subject of a Community Order with 12 months supervision and attendance on a ‘thinking skills’ programme.

Two other men also admitted involvement in the attempted burglary at Delamere.

Matthew Tyrer, 35, from Lime Avenue, Weaverham, was sentenced to six months in prison while Anthony Brown, 25, from Ashwood Close, Barnton was made the subject of a Community Order with 250 hours unpaid work and £250 costs.