A couple who stole £250,000 worth of cars as part of a criminal gang have been convicted after they featured on the television programme Crimewatch.
Conman Stephen Probert, 40, and Vicky Banks, 31, both of Blackwood, were on the run for two years before the TV appeal helped police catch them.
They would pose as a couple hoping to buy a new car before stealing more than 27 high-value vehicles from garages and homes between June 2013 and October 2014.
Those included an Audi A3 and Volkswagen Golf, both worth £10,000.
A number of the gang members were arrested, but ringleader Probert and Banks went on the run.
Tip-offs from the public helped officers apprehend the couple, who were living in Cyprus and travelling back to Wales to continue their theft operation.
Probert pleaded guilty to conspiracy to steal motor vehicles at Newport Crown Court on Friday February 3, and was jailed for one year and eight months.
He was already serving 16 years for conspiracy to steal motor cars and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice, and his sentences will run consecutively.
Judge David Wynn Morgan called Probert “a devious and manipulative criminal”.
Banks was handed an eight-month jail sentence, suspended for two years.
Gang members Keri Davies, 31, of Risca, and Anthony Woodington, 40, of Maerdy, were jailed for eight months.
Neil Roberts, 33, of Trebanog, and Kelly Stephens, 32, from Risca, were each given a one year community order.
Samantha Wright, 28, of Mountain Ash, was bailed for a pre-sentence hearing.
Gwent Police’s Senior Investigating Officer, Nick Wilkie, said: “This outcome is a result of a four year investigation into various offences including theft, handling stolen goods, fraud and use of counterfeit currency.
“Stephen Probert was a member of an organised crime group which systematically targeted victims throughout Wales, England and Scotland.
“The group showed no regard for anyone apart from themselves. They stole a number of vehicles by taking them for test drives and never returning them, and obtained and used counterfeit currency to pay for goods across the country.
“I would like to thank the witnesses in this case for supporting the police investigation and having the courage to come forward to give evidence.”