Men in Exeter court charged with 50 burglaries

FOUR men have appeared in court charged with committing in excess of 50 burglaries across the region amounting to more than £200,000.

Reg Soper, 48, and Percy Soper, 53, both from Culmhead in Somerset, appeared at Exeter Magistrates Court on Friday, December 20, alongside Nicky Christian, 22, and Dan Small, 21, both from Plymouth.

The four men were arrested earlier this year and interviewed by detectives.

They were remanded in custody to appear at Exeter Crown Court on January 4.

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Many of the burglaries the men have been charged with have been at business units on the outskirts of Exeter and East Devon.

The premises were generally targeted for their safes.

As previously reported by the Echo, Exmouth Recycling Centre Exeter Airport, Hill Barton Business Park near Clyst St Mary and Willand Industrial Estate near Tiverton were all broken into.

More recently, Lords Meadow Industrial Estate in Crediton and Finnimore Industrial Estate in Ottery St Mary were targeted.

Detective Sergeant Jim Tarr, one of the investigating officers, said: "The total economic loss including damage caused to the properties amounts to over £200,000. The burglaries or attempted burglaries were mainly conducted at rural locations."

Four detectives from Honiton CID were involved in the investigation. They were supported by members of the Major Crime Team.