Man saved up over £3k to buy car which he did not know was stolen, court hears

THE trial of four men accused of conspiring to steal motor vehicles heard from a man who saved up £3,100 to buy a car – without knowing it was stolen.
Simon Miura had saved up his hard-earned wages and sought advice from his mum, Joy, before buying the Honda Civic in June 2012.
The trial heard how just two weeks later the car was confiscated after police discovered it was stolen.
Mr Miura gave evidence at Cardiff Crown Court today for a trial of four men accused of the conspiracy between November 2011 and November 2012.
The defendants in the dock are Stephen Probert, 39, of no fixed abode, Evan Beman, 38, of Tymawr Farm, Usk Road, Pontypool, Donald Anstey, 39, of the Golden Lion pub, Queen Street, Nantyglo, and Cameron Davies, 23, of Vine Street, Abercarn.
The men are accused of also stealing cars from the Motorpoint dealership in Newport.
Today Mr Miura, from Mountain Ash, described how he had travelled from his home with his parents to view the Honda Civic in Newport after seeing it advertised.
His mum, Joy Miura, also took to the stand and said how she and her son had ran checks online before viewing the car to check whether it had any outstanding finance or was stolen.
Ms Miura said on the advert for the car there was mention of Motorpoint. She said when they viewed the car the seller also mentioned Motorpoint, leading the family to believe the seller was somehow involved with the dealership.
In cross-examination, Probert’s defence barrister asked whether Mr Miura had a name for the person who sold him the car. Mr Miura said he did not give a name.
Last week the court heard from other victims including a Newport builder who had woken up in the middle of the night when he heard thieves steal his pick-up truck from outside his house.
The jury also heard from witness Neil Davies whose £13,000 Honda CR-V was stolen while he had popped out of the car to deliver a parcel, leaving the keys in the ignition.