MEMBERS of a family-run theft ring which targeted farms and small businesses all over Devon and Cornwall have been found guilty of varying charges relating to the thefts.

Daniel Small, aged 60, was a key link between his two sons Daniel and James and other members of the gang, who helped dispose of the Land Rovers and other farm vehicles which they stole in 28 raids.

Among the victims in the Tavistock area were Tor Town Farm at Moortown, Coombe Farm at Lifton, Callisham Farm at Yelverton and Haytown, Horrabridge.

Small was found guilty after a two- week trial at Exeter Crown Court and will be sentenced alongside his two sons, who both admitted to two counts of conspiracy to steal last year.

He claimed to be a born again Christian who turned his back on a life of crime, but mobile phone evidence showed he was linked to many of the burglaries and thefts.

The court heard that the gang targeted farms and businesses during a six-month crime wave in which at least £200,000 worth of goods were stolen. They normally struck overnight at unattended farm buildings or small businesses across wide stretches of Devon and Cornwall.

Small only went out on a couple of the raids but was in constant touch with his two sons when they were being carried out. He was also the link man with near neighbour Barry Stephens, whose farm at Wembury was used as a staging post for much of the stolen kit before it was moved on or sold.

He used a farm near his home in Plympton to store some of the stolen property so nothing incriminating was found at his own yard, where he bought and sold cars and vans.

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.

Maurice Isaacs, aged 44, of Puriton, denied the second conspiracy count but was found guilty.

Stephen Benney, aged 31, also of Puriton, was cleared of conspiracy on the orders of the judge after evidence showed Isaacs had been using his phone at the material times.

He pleaded guilty to attempting to pervert the course of justice by making a video recorded phone call to Isaacs from the custody suite at Heavitree Road Police Station in Exeter, asking him to dispose of their shared mobile phone.

Four other men have admitted related offences and all ten will be sentenced later this year at a hearing which is expected to last at least a day.

Judge Erik Salomonsen released Daniel Small Senior, Isaacs and Benney on bail.