A former Aberystwyth Town football player has been jailed for his part in the theft of more than £100,000 worth of farm machinery across North and Mid Wales.

Ricky Lee Evans, 43, was one of three men who pleaded guilty to conspiracy to steal plant and farm machinery across North Wales, Dyfed-Powys, Cheshire and West Mercia police force areas.

The three men were sentenced at Caernarfon Crown Court on 31 January.

Ricky was given three years and three months.

Shane Jones, 30, from Wrexham, received two years and four months in jail and John Price, 29 from Telford, got two years.

The thefts included a quad bike from Machynlleth in addition to a mechanical digger, tractor, hedge cutter, trailers and other farming equipment from locations across Wales.

The offences occurred between October 2017 and November 2018.

Evans was originally from Wrexham but played midfield for Aberystwyth Town, during two spells for the club between 2003 and 2012, and started 63 league games. In total he made over 400 Welsh Premier appearances for 11 different clubs.

Detective Sergeant Chris Jones said: “North Wales along with other similar geographical areas is a regular target for rural crime.

“Organised groups of criminals prey on the vulnerability and trust which exists in our communities. They plan and travel extensively to commit these crimes, often to order, and move the stolen property across Britain and beyond.

“These sentences show that we will pursue such groups to recover stolen property, prosecute individuals and seize assets to help make North Wales the safest place in the UK.”