'Blowtorch' thief who stole expensive cars jailed

A man has been jailed for seven years and eight months after admitting stealing a number of expensive cars.

Ethan Taylor, 23, was part of a gang that used a blowtorch to cut locks at homes across Lincolnshire before breaking in and taking car keys.

One victim told Lincoln Crown Court how she barricaded her doors after the burglary at her home and felt terrified that the intruders would return.

Taylor, of Aylestone Lane in Wigston, Leicestershire, pleaded guilty to 23 offences of burglary, attempt burglary and theft.

The burglaries were reported between January and September 2025, in locations such as Deeping St James, Barrowby, Stamford, Grantham and Sleaford.

Taylor also admitted four offences of going equipped, handling stolen goods, dangerous driving and driving while disqualified, which related to a high speed police chase in May 2025.

On that occasion Taylor was spotted driving a stolen VW Golf without number plates in the village of Burton Joyce, near Nottingham.

The car reached speeds of 110 mph (177 kph) in a 40mph (65 kph) zone, with a fire extinguisher thrown out by a passenger before it crashed.

The court heard a number of the vehicles, which included Mercedes, Audis and a BMW worth over £100,000, were never recovered.

Passing sentence, Recorder Simon King told Taylor: "I could throw away the key and many would say I should.

"If I were to sentence you for each of these burglaries it would be an enormous sentence.

"You plainly broke into homes while they were sleeping. You took their cars."

The judge added: "They were all part of a well planned and long scheme."

Taylor was also banned from driving for six years and 10 months, and must take an extended retest.

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