Thomas Ashford and Stewart Jones (Image: Dyfed-Powys Police)
Last Updated: 18 minutes ago
A coal house supervisor, a security supervisor and a forklift driver conspired to steal almost 49 tons of tin ingots from Tata Steel’s Trostre Steelworks in Llanelli over a 15-month period. 🔨
Thomas Ashford, 36, Stewart Jones, 56, and Richard Jones, 40, each conspired with a fourth man, Matthew Membury, 32, to carry out a series of raids between July 2023 and October 2024. The stolen tin was valued at £1,191,011, Swansea Crown Court heard.
The scheme
Ashford, who worked as the coal house supervisor, exploited his knowledge of delivery schedules to identify the best windows for each theft, prosecutor Craig Jones said.
Stewart Jones, who supervised security at the site, gave Membury an access card registered to the fictitious name “David Davies”. Membury would drive a van into the steelworks during periods when he was least likely to be noticed, where Ashford loaded it with tin for onward sale.
Richard Jones, who operated a forklift at the works, was recruited for some of the raids to assist with loading.
WhatsApp evidence
Messages recovered from the group’s WhatsApp conversations revealed the extent of their planning. The men exchanged celebratory messages after successful thefts and discussed how to explain their sudden influx of money.
The proceeds
Membury received £743,826 from selling the stolen tin. He kept just under £340,000 for himself, while Ashford took £256,500 and Stewart Jones received around £85,500. Richard Jones was paid approximately £62,000 for his part in the operation.
The arrests
The gang were caught on October 11, 2024, after a surveillance operation had been put in place. Membury left the nearby Parc Pemberton Retail Park at 5.30am and used the David Davies access card to enter the site. His van was stopped at 6am and he was arrested. Three samurai swords were found in the back of the vehicle.
Ashford was found sitting in his car in the works car park and was also arrested. Stewart Jones and Richard Jones were detained later.
Mitigation
David Singh, representing Ashford, of St Davids Road, Tairgwaith, told the court his client accepted the conspiracy was his idea. He added that Ashford had no previous convictions.
Matthew Murphy, for Stewart Jones, of Maeswerdd, Llanelli, said the defendant felt “whole-hearted remorse” for his actions against his now-former employer. He said Jones had “significant debts” and that the prospect of financial gain “was too much”.
Adam Roxborough, representing Richard Jones, of Ceri Road, Swansea, highlighted his client’s “exemplary” record during seven years of service with the Royal Welch Fusiliers. He said Jones had joined the conspiracy because it was “easy money” but sat at the bottom of the hierarchy, with messages showing he was not involved in every theft.
Ryan Bowen, for Membury, said his guilty plea represented his strongest mitigation. He added the defendant had stayed out of trouble for six years from 2020.
Sentencing
Judge Paul Thomas KC described the conspiracy as “a very sophisticated operation”.
Ashford and Stewart Jones were each jailed for three years and four months. Richard Jones was given a 20-month sentence, suspended for two years, and must complete 250 hours of unpaid work and a three-month curfew between 10pm and 5am.
All four defendants admitted conspiring to steal from an employer. Membury also admitted possession of a bladed article.
Membury, a serving prisoner at HMP Parc, refused to attend the hearing. His sentencing was adjourned.
