A mechanic has been jailed for six years after running a ‘chop shop’ business described as “almost industrial”.
Oxford Crown Court heard how police had discovered stolen cars and parts worth almost £500,000 when they raided a yard alongside the A34 between Oxford and Bicester. It followed a tip-off in April 2020, when officers were contacted by a private investigations firm brought in after a hire car was stolen during a burglary.
A tracking device led officers to Ali Teli’s yard, where they discovered thousands of spare parts and new engines.
In interviews with police, Mr Teli blamed a man known as ‘Denny’ or ’Danny’, and also produced fake invoices to cover his tracks.
Judge Michael Gledhill said the operation “was almost industrial – and you were at the very centre of it.” Mr Teli was convicted of eleven counts of handling stolen goods and a twelfth charge of perverting the course of justice by sending the police fake invoices via his solicitors.
Source: Oxford Mail