Richard Charles Brown, 55, of Silver Birches, Bursledon, seemed at Southampton Crown Court docket on Might 22, having admitted to fraud and robbery of the mini-excavator value £33,500.
Keeley Harvey, prosecuting, advised the court docket that Harrison Rent Ltd, based totally in Landford within the New Wooded area, had won an order to rent its new Yanmar SV26 excavator from any individual going via the title “Paul O’Shea” on Might 3, 2024.
“Paul” equipped ID, a using licence and different paperwork all matching this title thru e mail.
The mini-excavator was once brought to an deal with in Silver Birches, the place it was once signed for via a person dressed in a inexperienced Hulk blouse who claimed to be “Paul O’Shea”.
However Southampton Crown Court docket heard that once it was once time for the corporate to gather on Might 8, it was once long gone.
The quantity utilized by “Paul O’Shea” were blocked, and no one was once house.
A personnel member despatched to retrieve the excavator then requested a neighbour, who had a video of the excavator being taken away, the exact same day it arrived.
Brown returned house however advised the worker that the excavator were signed for via any individual else.
When proven an image taken of the excavator when it was once dropped off, which obviously confirmed him within the background, Brown as an alternative claimed that he had signed it on “Paul O’Shea’s” behalf.
A seek of Brown’s house via police discovered the similar inexperienced ‘Hulk’ blouse that he’s pictured in via the employee.
The excavator was once by no means recovered.
It was once remaining noticed heading in opposition to the port of Dover at the again of a car with cloned plates.
James Harrison, proprietor of Harrison Rent Ltd, attended court docket to discuss the have an effect on this robbery has had on him and his industry.
He advised the court docket that the excavator had represented a vital acquire and a milestone, and he’s petrified of it taking place once more.
He mentioned: “The primary time this took place, it nearly crippled the industry.
“It is affected my satisfaction in what I’ve constructed. It harm the entire industry, actually.”
The court docket heard Brown has 31 convictions for 83 offences, together with offences involving dishonesty.
Thomas Evans, mitigating, advised the court docket that his shopper was once the “stooge of alternative criminals”.
He mentioned that Brown was once servicing his dependancy to crack cocaine and heroin, and won £1,500 for his a part of the plan.
Mr Evans added that the prison in the long run at the back of the broader scheme has been convicted and is serving a vital custodial sentence, although he didn’t title them.
Pass judgement on Nicholas Rowland sentenced Brown to fifteen months in jail.
Talking after sentencing, Mr Harrison mentioned he was once happy to get this end result, and hopes this will likely carry consideration to the issue.
PC Tim Brilliant mentioned: “This was once an actual group effort, and I am happy to look it lead to a custodial sentence.
“I might additionally love to recognise the sufferer’s dedication in supporting the case thru to court docket.”
