Five jailed over vehicle theft conspiracy in Southport and West Lancashire
Five men have been jailed for their roles in a conspiracy to steal around 40 cars, vans and motorbikes across West Lancashire and Merseyside.
The vehicles were stolen over 11 months between January and November 2025 in Ormskirk, Skelmersdale, Burscough, Wrightington, Liverpool and Southport. Police said relay devices were used to bypass the security systems on keyless vehicles.
The stolen vehicles were then hidden in remote locations or had their tracking devices removed.
A Jaguar E-Pace stolen in Skelmersdale in June 2025 was seen three days later with cloned registration plates. Officers pursued the vehicle, but called off the pursuit because of the risk to the public after the Jaguar travelled the wrong way around a roundabout.
Jason Miller was driving the Jaguar, according to messages found on his phone. Police said messages recovered from the defendants’ phones after their arrests helped establish their involvement in the conspiracy.
All five pleaded guilty to conspiracy to steal and were sentenced at Preston Crown Court on Thursday, 23 July 2026.
- James Miller, 23, of Langtree, Skelmersdale, was jailed for three years and eight months. He also admitted supplying cannabis and ketamine.
- James McKeown, 23, of Snowdrop Street, Liverpool, was jailed for three years and eight months. He also admitted dangerous driving, driving while disqualified and handling stolen goods.
- Ryan McNair, 39, of Willow Hey, Skelmersdale, was jailed for three years and two months.
- Thomas Fleming, 26, of Moorgate, Ormskirk, was jailed for two years and two months. He also admitted supplying cannabis.
- Jason Miller, 24, of Inglewhite, Skelmersdale, was jailed for 22 months. He also admitted dangerous driving.
The investigation was carried out under Operation Warrior, Lancashire Police’s force-wide response to serious and organised crime. The operation targets organised criminal groups and aims to prevent them from profiting from their activities.
