A MONMOUTH man was jailed yesterday for his part in a car theft conspiracy targeting Land Rovers.

Ricky Prosser, 26, of Welsh Newton Common, Monmouth, and David Skidmore, 33, of Park End Road, Bream, Lydney, appeared in Newport Crown Court for sentencing yesterday.

The two men went on trial in November accused of conspiring to steal more than £400,000 worth of motor vehicles between May 25, 2009 and May 26, 2010, but on the third day of trial Prosser admitted the charge and Skidmore pleaded guilty to handling stolen goods.

Their co-defendant, Sean Oaten, of Buchanan Close, Monmouth, also pleaded guilty to conspiracy, and was jailed for four years and four months last month.

Prosecutor Richard Twomlow told the court cell site analysis show Prosser's phone in the vicinity of Land Rover thefts which took place in Priory Street, Monmouth on October 21, 2009, Priory Street, Usk on November 11, 2009, and Whitecross Street, Monmouth, on January 5, this year.

Mr Twomlow said there was also evidence of phone calls between Oaten and Prosser in the hours surrounding each of the thefts.

The court heard Skidmore admitted handling stolen goods after a blue Range Rover Sport HSE was found parked on his driveway in May of this year. Mr Twomlow said the car was stolen from outside a property in Wye Beeches, Monmouth.

Representing Prosser, Ieuan Morris said Prosser pleaded guilty on the basis that his involvement was limited to the three thefts and he was not aware of the wider conspiracy. Mr Morris said the time Prosser has served on remand had made him a "reformed figure."

Skidmore's counsel, Ieuan Bennett, said there was no doubt that Skidmore was foolish to buy the vehicle and the consequences of his offending were already showing on his business.

Judge David Morris sentenced Prosser to two and a half years in prison. Skidmore was given a 42-week sentence suspended for two years, made the subject of a two-year supervision order and ordered to complete 200 hours unpaid work.