Travellers who trashed Thwaites brewery jailed

Two men have been jailed after causing £313,000 worth of damage at Thwaites brewery in Lancashire, having stormed the site, along with 100 travellers, and demanded £20,000 for its return.

Credit: Lancashire Police

he travellers forced their way into the brewery site in Blackburn over the May bank holiday last year and prevented staff from entering the premise.

Despite requests to move on by Thwaites’ security, the group refused and evicted a guard from the site.

Whilst being asked to leave on the Saturday (26 May) and the following day (Sunday 27 May), Thomas Ward, referring to himself as “Big John” and “Big Dave”, tried to blackmail two Thwaites employees, demanding £20,000 or “the place is ours.”

Later that day (Sunday 27 May), the travellers occupying the area allowed some Thwaites staff on to the site for around an hour and a half so they could remove personal items, sensitive documents and valuable equipment including computers. At that time, nothing had been damaged but unfortunately the workers were not able to remove everything of value.

At some point after this visit, some of the group – lead by the Wards and a 17-year-old boy – looted office buildings, stealing televisions, computer equipment, high value alcohol and electrical copper wiring from throughout the entire site. The group also damaged vehicles, used the brewery’s offices as toilets, smashed windows, stole items and set off fire extinguishers.

The travellers remained at the site until they were moved on by police escort on 28 May 2018, the Bank Holiday Monday.

After regaining control of the site, staff at Thwaites were forced to pour away around 1,700 pints of beer due to fears it could be contaminated.

Yesterday, two men were jailed for their part in the carnage. Thomas Ward, 44, of Aspull Common, Leigh was sentenced to four years and three months in prison after previously pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary, conspiracy to commit criminal damage and blackmail.

John Ward, 34, of Aspull Common, Leigh was handed a sentence of three years and nine months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary and conspiracy to commit criminal damage, also at an earlier hearing.

Patrick Ward, 32, of Aspull Common, Leigh, was found guilty of conspiracy to commit burglary and conspiracy to commit criminal damage in his absence in November last year. He is still outstanding and is wanted by police.

A fourth person – a 17 year old boy who pleaded guilty to the same charges – has been bailed to appear at youth court for sentencing at a later date.

Credit: Lancashire Police

Speaking after court, Superintendent Andrea Barrow from Blackburn Police said: “When Thwaites’ staff entered their place of work on Monday 28 May, they were met with scenes of utter devastation. Not only had lots of equipment and alcohol been stolen, the power had been cut, windows had been smashed, office furniture damaged, food had been thrown over floors and a water cooler had been tipped over causing flooding. Employee’s personal possessions had literally been scattered around and 1,700 pints of beer had to be thrown away.

“It was extremely upsetting for Thwaites staff who had had been due to end over 200 years of brewing at this particular site around 12 weeks later, however, they had to make the tough decision to not brew there again, such was the risk of contamination.

“The behaviour of all the people involved in the damage and destruction was utterly deplorable. Thomas Ward not only had the audacity to force employees off company property, he then tried to coerce them into paying thousands of pounds for the travellers to leave. Thankfully no money was handed over in spite of his demands.”

She added: “We generally have good relationships with the travelling community and the level of destruction and damage caused to the site is not reflective of the behaviour of all Travellers.

“We know other people were involved who haven’t yet appeared before the courts and so our investigation continues to ensure we trace them and bring them to justice also.”

Patrick Ward. Credit: Lancashire Police
Thomas Ward. Credit: Lancashire Police
John Ward. Credit: Lancashire Police