THESE are the men who stole £20,000 worth of biscuits from Cwmbran last year.

The five men, all from Liverpool, targeted Burton's Biscuits in a raid on June 17.

On Monday, they were jailed for more than 11 years in total after each entering guilty pleas at Cardiff Crown Court.

Anthony Edgerton received a 44 month sentence; Stephen Burrows, a 16 month sentence; Keiron Ian Price, 12 months; Aaron Thomas Walsh, 16 months; and Paul Michael Price, a 40 month jail term.

A lorry and trailer were taken from the Torfaen factory, which produces favourites including Jammie Dodgers and Wagon Wheels, at about 3.10am.

Jason Howells, prosecuting, told the court that the gang had undergone ‘significant planning’ to carry out the offences as they used a stolen ford transit van belonging to Network Rail and used multiple number plates.

The court heard that members travelled from Liverpool to Kent in May last year including Anthony Edgerton and Paul Price. They stole a Scania tractor unit worth £15,000, an artic trailer worth £8,000 which contained Carling larger worth just over £43,000.

The gang then targeted Burton's Biscuits in Cwmbran a month later. They gained entry with the trailer they had taken from Kent and took a Burton's Biscuit trailer which was worth £10,000.

The biscuits and other food items stolen from Cwmbran had a wholesale value of £12,000 and had a retail value of £20,000. The trailers stolen have been recovered but neither the biscuits or the larger have been found.

All five men were involved in the biscuit heist.

The court heard how one of the men pretended to be a DHL delivery driver called Smith to enter the biscuit factory to take a delivery to Liverpool.

Police later found the trailer at junction 11 on the M62 in Warrington.

The court heard all defendants apart from Keiron Price have substantial criminal records.

The defendants are Anthony Edgerton, aged 35, of HMP Altcourse, who pleaded guilty to four theft related charges, handling stolen goods and driving whilst disqualified.

He was sentenced to a total of 44 months imprisonment and disqualified from driving for three years.

After Judge Jonathan Furness QC sentenced Edgerton he said "Sweet, thanks your honour."

One of the defendants could be heard saying 'does anyone want a biscuit?' as they were being led from the dock. Harry Baker, defending Edgerton, said his client was not 'involved in significant planning.'

Stephen Burrows, aged 36, of HMP Dovegate, admitted theft and being carried/conveyed in a vehicle taken without consent.

He was sentenced to 16 months imprisonment. Tim Evans, defending Burrows said his client was 'far from having a leading role' in the thefts.

Keiron Price, aged 28, of Crofton Road, Runcorn, admitted driving the Skania trailer and theft by finding.

Price said that he had been recruited to drive a HGV in payment of £1,000.

The court heard that Keiron Price served in the British Army for six years with the Royal Electrical and Mechanical Engineers.

Stuart Price, defending him said his client was suffering from post traumatic stress disorder after postings in Afghanistan and Northern Ireland.

He was sentenced to 12 months for his part in the biscuit theft and six months for a separate charge of possession with intent to supply cannabis after pleading guilty at a preliminary hearing in Liverpool in January of this year.

Aaron Walsh, aged 25, of Adam Close, Liverpool, admitted taking a HGV trailer and the biscuits in the factory heist on Ty Coch Way. Jamie Baxter, defending Walsh, said his client had 'limited contribution' to the thefts.

He was sentenced to 16 months imprisonment.

Paul Price, aged 38, of no fixed abode, admitted four counts of theft offences and handling stolen goods.  He was sentenced to 40 months imprisonment. David Woods, defending Price, said his client 'bitterly regrets' that he will miss the upbringing of his children.

DS Stuart Crocker, of Gwent Police said: “These defendants were part of an organised crime group from Liverpool who travelled to Gwent to target a local business.  Gwent Police undertook a thorough inquiry and officers liaised with other forces, including Merseyside and British Transport Police, to gather evidence. 

"Due to the strength of the case compiled, all five defendants have pleaded guilty today.

“I hope this case and the sentences given demonstrate to anyone involved in criminal activity that if they choose to commit offences in Gwent they will be pursued and brought to justice.”