Pagan’s “Spiritual Journey” Ends in Prison After Car Thefts

A man who described himself as a pagan on a spiritual journey has been jailed after stealing multiple vehicles during what he called a “pilgrimage” from Glastonbury to Chepstow. 🚗

Mark Davies, 41, stole a Ford Mondeo in Glastonbury on December 22, 2024, telling police he saw it as his “ticket back to Wales” during the winter solstice.

Days later, Davies burgled a house in Devauden, Monmouthshire, where he cut power cables before breaking in and stealing a Land Rover, a Volkswagen Golf, and a £300 chainsaw. While the Golf was driven but left at the property, Davies continued his journey in the stolen Land Rover.

Cardiff Crown Court heard that police arrested Davies in early January at a Tesco in Blandford Forum, Dorset, where both the Land Rover and the abandoned Mondeo were discovered.

Prosecutor Anisha Rai told the court: “During his interview with the police, he described himself as a pagan who lives a nomadic lifestyle, camping and fields. He stated that he had walked from Glastonbury to Chepstow on a pilgrimage for the solstice. The defendant said he found the Ford Mondeo and said he saw it as his ticket back to Wales.”

The defendant was also being sentenced for breaching a restraining order after indirectly contacting his mother and stealing three packages from a house in Portskewett.

Davies, of no fixed abode in Chepstow, admitted all offences and has previous convictions for burglary. He was previously jailed for four years for domestically aggravated offences including assault occasioning actual bodily harm, arson and battery.

Defence barrister William Bebb said: “The defendant was candid with the police and filled in the gaps for them. When he walked from Glastonbury, he was disillusioned with the world. He felt left down by the system.” He added that Davies had worked as a self-employed labourer for more than 20 years.

Recorder Andrew Hammond told Davies: “You have shown a complete disregard for the property of others.”

Davies was sentenced to two years and six months in prison and will serve 40 per cent of that sentence in custody before being released on licence. He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge. ⚖️