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A gang of biscuit thieves have been jailed after stealing £20,000 worth of treats from a Jammie Dodger factory.

The men calmly drove into Burton Food Factory at Cwmbran, South Wales, claiming to be making a legitimate collection before driving off with a trailer full of sugary snacks.

After being sentenced to a total of more than 11 years, some of the gang from Liverpool shouted out “Anyone want a biscuit?” as they were led to their cells today, WalesOnline reported.

Cardiff Crown Court had heard how traffic cameras and mobile cell sites had helped track those involved as they drove in convoy from their home city to South Wales on June 17 last year.

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They used a tractor unit and trailer stolen previously in Kent and a missing Network Rail crew bus which had false number plates.

Prosecutor Jason Howells said one of them drove up to the gatehouse at the Burton plant in Ty Coch Way, Cwmbran – where Wagon Wheels are also made – at 2.50am, telling the security guard it was his first visit there.

Wearing a hi-visibility tabard, he was allowed through, and went to the distribution office, saying he had come for a load for Liverpool.

“At 3.10am, he drove back towards the gatehouse and left, passing the guard who thought he had made a legitimate pick-up,” Mr Howells told the court.

“He had left one stolen trailer behind and taken another.”

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The £10,000 Jammie Dodger trailer was later found abandoned and its entire stock of “biscuits and other food stuff” had disappeared.

Anthony Edgerton, 35, whose address was given as HMP Liverpool was jailed for 44 months.

Paul Price, 38, of no fixed address had 40 months while former soldier Kieron Price, 28, of Runcorn was given 18 months.

Stephen Burrow, 36, of HMP Dovegate in Staffordshire and Aaron Walsh, 25, of Adam Close, Liverpool, each received 16 months.

They had variously admitted charges of theft of goods, theft of vehicles, theft by finding and allowing themselves to be carried in vehicles taken without consent.

Edgerton and Paul Price also admitted handling and the theft of a tractor and trailer containing £43,000 worth of lager, a month before the trip to Cwmbran.

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Passing sentence, Judge Jonathan Furness QC said the total value of goods and vehicles taken during the “sophisticated and planned” operation, was more than £100,000 but all the vehicles were recovered.

The larger trailer was the one dropped off at Burton’s site in exchange for or the full one containing biscuits and it, in turn, was abandoned in a lay-by, after being emptied.

The Network Rail crew bus had paperwork and number plates in it when it was recovered.

Defence lawyers said not all the defendants had been involved in the planning of the thefts but each had played a role.

In mitigation for Keiron Price, it was said he had been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress disorder after seeing active service in Afghanistan with the Royal Engineers.

The Network Rail crew bus had paperwork and number plates in it when it was recovered.

Defence lawyers said not all the defendants had been involved in the planning of the thefts but each had played a role.

In mitigation for Keiron Price, it was said he had been diagnosed with Post Traumatic Stress disorder after seeing active service in Afghanistan with the Royal Engineers.