Five men are set to stand trial next year, accused of orchestrating a major vehicle theft operation spanning multiple regions of England and Wales.
The Charges and the Alleged Crime Spree
The defendants face charges of conspiracy to commit the theft of motor vehicles. West Mercia Police stated the case relates to a total of 32 separate vehicle thefts. This alleged crime wave took place over an eight-month period, between September last year and May.
The incidents occurred across a wide geographical area, impacting the police force regions of West Mercia, Gloucestershire, Dyfed Powys, Sussex, Avon & Somerset, and Devon & Cornwall.
The Defendants and Court Appearances
Three men from the Worcestershire area and two from Bristol have been charged. They are: Leonard Hodgkins, 49, from Malvern; Ryan Hodgkins, 28, from Welland, Malvern; Jimmy Butler, 41, from Worcester; Simon Holmes, 61, from Bristol; and Benjamin Hobbs, 35, also from Bristol.
All five appeared at Hereford Crown Court on Monday, December 8, where they each entered a plea of not guilty. A sixth man, David Hodgkins, 40, of The Furlong, Powick, appeared in court on the same day and pleaded guilty to the same charges. He was remanded to prison to await sentencing.
Trial Date and Remand Status
The trial for the five men who denied the charges is scheduled to begin at Hereford Crown Court on Monday, April 13, 2026. It is expected to be a significant proceeding detailing the alleged conspiracy.
Following the December hearing, Leonard Hodgkins was remanded into custody. The other four defendants – Ryan Hodgkins, Jimmy Butler, Simon Holmes, and Benjamin Hobbs – were granted bail ahead of the trial date next year.
In connection with the case, West Mercia Police has reiterated a warning to drivers, urging them not to leave vehicles unattended with the engine running to defrost or warm up, a practice that makes them easy targets for thieves.
