Crime family: Bexley father and sons jailed for 16 years

The father and his two sons were sent down for a range of offences, including possession of a shotgun, burglary and handling stolen goods, at Inner London Crown Court on Tuesday (Aug 25).

Erith dad James Pearce Snr, 58, of Lower Road was sentenced to three years and eight months in prison, after pleading guilty to eight counts of handling stolen goods and five counts of ID fraud.

His sons Mark Pearce, 31 of Galleon Close, and Matthew Pearce, 29 of Maran Way in Thamesmead, were both locked up for six years and three months.

The elder son had pleaded guilty to possession of a shotgun, three counts of residential burglary, one count of supplying prescribed medicines, and 35 counts of ID fraud.

His brother Matthew pleaded guilty to possession of a shotgun, five counts of residential burglary, five counts of handling stolen goods, one count of supplying prescribed medicines, and six counts of ID fraud.

Their arrests were part of a two-year operation to dismantle organised crime networks dealing in burglary, theft, fraud, motor vehicle crime, drug dealing, money laundering and violent crime.

The police raid in Galleon Close, where Mark Pearce was arrested

Some 73 people were arrested during police raids in March - 50 of whom have already been convicted.

Other trials are pending - whilst the collective jail sentenced has now topped 100 years.

Detective chief inspector Gary Holmes said: "This organised criminal family network were clearly identified in our investigations and they have been sentenced according to their involvement.

"Committing crime in Bexley does not pay and we will continue to target offenders who commit crime."

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