Gary Maughan, 33, from Weston-super-Mare, has been sentenced after being caught with multiple offences following a proactive vehicle stop by roads policing officers in Bridgwater.
On Wednesday, March 4, officers stopped a grey Ford C-Max on Notaro Way, Bridgwater, acting on intelligence linking the vehicle to criminal activity. Upon inspection, the vehicle was found to be displaying false registration plates. Officers also discovered additional fake plates inside the car.
Further checks revealed that Maughan was driving with a licence that had been medically revoked and the vehicle was uninsured. During a search of the car, police uncovered tools commonly used in vehicle theft, including a trolley jack, a reciprocating saw, and an impact drill.
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Maughan pleaded guilty to several offences, including using false registration plates, driving without valid licence or insurance, and possession of equipment associated with theft.
At Taunton Magistrates' Court on Thursday, 11 June, he was sentenced to 24 weeks in prison, suspended for 12 months, and ordered to pay £100 in costs alongside a £154 victim surcharge.
Roads Policing Inspector Matt Boiles emphasized the wider role of their work, stating, “This case shows that roads policing goes beyond traffic law enforcement. The proactive stop, based on intelligence, led to uncovering multiple offences and preventing further criminal activity. By targeting suspicious vehicles, our officers help disrupt crime and safeguard the community.”