Three men jailed for burglaries and car thefts across Somerset, South Gloucestershire and Devon
Gary Warman, Cole Howland and Blake Huygens were sentenced at Bristol Crown Court
Three men have been jailed for offences linked to burglary and vehicle thefts across Somerset, South Gloucestershire and Devon in March and April this year.
Gary Warman, Cole Howland and Blake Huygens were sentenced at Bristol Crown Court.
Warman was sentenced on Wednesday 7th October 2026, and the other two men, who were charged as part of the same investigation, were sentenced on Friday 18th September 2026.
Warman, 34, of Whitehouse Lane, Bedminster, Bristol, was jailed for four years and five months in total.
He had previously admitted:
- burglary and theft, after entering a home in Iron Acton and stealing four cars of Volvo and VW makes with the keys
- theft of a Mini Cooper from a business in Exeter
- possessing an offensive weapon, a hunting knife, in private
Howland, 23, of no fixed abode, was sentenced to three years in prison after admitting five counts of burglary and theft at homes.
He broke into homes in Bathford, Chelwood, Clevedon and Easter Compton to take keys and steal cars of BMW, Land Rover, Mercedes and Range Rover makes.
He also took items including cash and bank cards.
Huygens, 23, of Sidmouth Road, Knowle, Bristol, was jailed for three years.
He admitted:
- three counts of burglary at businesses, involving the theft of car keys from businesses in Axminster and Seaton, and of a Fiat 500 and a Ford Fiesta from a firm in Farmborough
- aggravated vehicle taking, by driving a stolen vehicle causing damage
- theft of items from a business in Exeter
Detective Inspector Tim Mullins, who led an Avon and Somerset Police operation to tackle car key burglary, said: “Having your home broken into is uniquely upsetting and has an effect on victims over and above the inconvenience and financial cost. This case shows that criminals will travel widely and break into homes and businesses to enable them to steal cars with the keys.
“Please do look out for your neighbours by reporting any unusual activity around homes and vehicles. As the darker evenings draw in, we’d also recommend security lighting and locking up and setting the alarm, if you have one, at night as well as when you’re out.”