A FATHER has denied being at the hub of a massive conspiracy to steal Land Rovers and agricultural machinery from farms all over Devon and Cornwall including Wiswell Farm, Widecombe-in-the-Moor.

Daniel Small is alleged to have worked with his two sons Daniel and James to target farms and businesses during a six month ’crime wave’ in which at least £200,000 worth of goods were stolen.

He was at the heart of the plot in which his two sons and others carried out 28 raids in Plymouth, north and west Devon, east Cornwall, Teignbridge and the South Hams.

The thefts included horse boxes, trailers, quad bikes, Land Rovers, a rigid inflatable boat and even two jetskis which Small’s sons were seen trying to start at Wembury beach, near Plymouth.

The businesses include farms, riding schools, stables, car dealers, a cattery and the Queen Anne Battery Marina in Plymouth.

Small, aged 60, denies any involvement in the plot but is linked by phone evidence which shows he was either near the scenes of the crimes or in phone contact with his sons when they were carried out.

A jury at Exeter Crown Court has been told that both his sons have admitted being involved in conspiracy to steal vehicles and farm machinery.

Small is alleged to have directed the thefts from his home in Linketty Lane, Plympton, and some of the stolen kit was recovered at a farm at nearby Veasy Park, Wembury, owned by his friend Barry Stephens.

Some of the Land Rovers were driven up the M5 to a traveller site near Bridgwater where two neighbours are alleged to have repaired them and readied them for sale.

Small denies two counts of conspiracy to steal. One relates to farm machinery and the other to vehicles and both relate to raids between July 7, 2015 and January 5, 2016.

Maurice Isaacs, aged 44, and Stephen Benney, aged 31, both of The Paddocks, Woolavington Road, Puriton, Somerset, both deny one count of conspiracy. Isaac also denies attempting to pervert the course of justice by trying to arrange for the disposal of a mobile phone.

James Small, aged 36, of Berkshire Drive, Plymouth, and Daniel Small, aged 25, of Ward Place, Plymouth, have both admitted the two counts of conspiracy to steal.

Barry Stephens, aged 59, of South Barton Farm, Wembury, has admitted receiving a telescopic lift, an Ifor Williams trailer, a quad bike and a Transit tipper truck which were recovered from his property.

Mr Donald Tait, prosecuting, said: ’This case involves the large scale theft of motor vehicles, particularly Land Rovers, which are much sought-after, and a number of items of agricultural equipment such as trailers and horse boxes.

’The case even features a rigid inflatable boat and some jetskis. We say there was stealing on a grand scale so these men could make money out of other people’s property. The value is well in excess of £200,000.

’The investigation was named Operation Grail and started as an inquiry into acquisitive crime in south Devon and east Cornwall predominantly as well at the South Hams and Teignbridge.

’It started with a series of thefts of Land Rovers from various locations. It became apparent they were taken out of the county and police came to the conclusion the thefts were connected.

’Our case is that the Small family from Plymouth were the principle organisers of this crime wave. Daniel Small Senior did not often leave home but was in touch with the others by telephone.

’Sometimes he did leave home and the jury will have to consider whether his role was more hands-on on these occasions and whether his sons were doing the thieving on his direction.

’They stole anything that was not nailed down and as you know, his two sons have both pleaded guilty to being involved in this unlawful enterprise.

’The principle people were Small and his sons and we say he was the principle organiser. All this stealing caused a lot of heartache to a lot of people.

"There was a lot of inconvenience where farmers were involved. It had an effect on their businesses. You can imagine the disruption when a livestock seller is unable to take their stock to market.

’Barry Stephens lives in a farm where a lot of stolen property was found. He was a receiver of stolen goods and has admitted that.’

Mr Tait said phone evidence linked Small and at least one of his sons to almost all the thefts.

The trial continues.