A bragging thief played a leading role in stealing high value cars worth more than £1m in a wave of thefts in which a gang made demands to owners to pay money to get their vehicles back.

Kacper Borowski was part of a group of crooks who took 22 cars, including Range Rovers, over the course of six months from January to June 2022.

His ex-girlfriend Mackenzie Charnock was involved in the thefts too,  Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court heard.

Hunter Gray, prosecuting, said during this time more than 60 cars were stolen in Bury and a gang involving Borowski were responsible for a high proportion of the crimes.

On February 16, 2022, Borowski stole a Range Rover from Tottington and filmed himself in the car saying “taking a Rangey for the fun of it".

There was also another video found where Borowski was heard saying "you know we’re taking Rangeys for fun".

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A few weeks later on March 7 last year, a Land Rover Sport was stolen in Rochdale and Borowski filmed himself driving in it, Mr Gray said.

Another was stolen in Oldham the day after by Borowski.

Days later on March 11, a Range Rover was stolen in Whitefield and was later found abandoned.

Three videos were found on Borowski’s phone with him saying “don’t leave your car in the car wash or we’ll have it".

Between the dates of March 13 and March 30, 2022, Borowski stole nine cars including BMWs and Range Rovers from driveways and on the roadside.

Mr Gray said Borowski was in contact with someone known as "Key Guy" who would supply addresses and help with the thefts.

Many of the stolen cars were spotted on Garston Street in Bury where Charnock lived.

On April 1 last year around 10pm police spotted one of the stolen vehicles, which Borowski and Charnock were inside, on Walmersley Road and a stinger was used by police.

But the device did not manage to stop the vehicle and a chase followed.

Borowski was recorded driving at more than 70mph, running red lights and even continuing to drive after losing a tyre in an attempt to evade police before eventually losing control, the court heard.

The pair were arrested, and in an interview, Charnock said she did not know the car was stolen while Borowski remained silent and they were both released on bail.

Mr Gray said that another man identified as being part of the gang was Hamza Zeb, of Cateaton Street, Bury.

And on April 19, a Range Rover was stolen in Ramsbottom after two males turned up on a motorbike who were identified as Borowski and Zeb.

The owner of the Range Rover said they received a message from a person known as "Jowns" who asked them if they wanted their car back.

The owner sent £1,500 and was given an address in Radcliffe where their car was, the court was told.

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A similar incident happened on May 2, 2022 when a Range Rover was stolen in Haslingden, the owner received a message from "Jowns" asking them if they wanted to buy their car back.

The owner asked for proof and received pictures of their car but they refused to send money.

A few weeks later on May 20, a Range Rover was stolen in Prestwich, and on May 24 Borowski was arrested in a field near to where the vehicle was spotted. During an interview he said he was in a field and had fallen over.

On June 8, 2022, Borowski was required to attend Bury Police Station, afterwards he was spotted in the Screwfix car park on Crostons Road as a Range Rover Sport was parked there.

CCTV footage showed Borowski loitering near to the car when Charnock arrives and provides a device for him to enter the vehicle and drive away in it.

And in another incident on April 29, 2022, police spotted a stolen BMW being driven by Zeb.

Police stopped the car on Radcliffe Road and asked him to get out but he sped off at 90mph and a chase carried on down Manchester Road, Parkhills Road, Rochdale Road and onto Bell Lane where he reached speeds of up to 115mph.

The pursuit was abandoned and the vehicle was later found in Radcliffe.

All three were arrested on June 16 but all remained silent.

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Paul Treble, defending for Borowski, told the court how he was a man for hire and doing these robberies as a way to pay off a drug debt.

He said Borowski was acting immaturely which made him act in this disgraceful manner.

Mr Treble said: “He’s started to grow up and accepts responsibility and appears to show genuine remorse and victim empathy and attempted to apologise.

“He deeply regrets what he’s done and has made best of him time in prison and is determined not to go back.”

Borowski, a Polish national, moved to the UK aged three.

But he cannot Polish and has no known family there.

Mr Treble said how deportation could be a very real problem for him and is a frightening prospect, therefore he is anxious not to return to custody.

James Priest, defending for Charnock, told the court how she had relatively low involvement in the robberies, although she did plead guilty to having a device to enter cars with.

A letter from her father said how she is easily led and that this was her first romantic relationship.

Mr Priest said: “She previously had good character, has expressed remorse and has reflected.

“She’s currently living with dad and looking for her own place.

“Her dad struggles with Parkinson’s, and she assists with housework, shopping and collecting his medication.”

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Judge Mark Savill said the crimes were a campaign of targeted high value thefts in Bury from January last year and the total amount of the 22 cars' value added up to £1.3m.

He said: “Data from Borowski’s phone shows he revelled in his activities, and they were actions of a young man but he took pleasure in his activities.

“Witnesses were taunted, and money was requested and paid to have their vehicles returned to them.”

Borowski, 21, Seddon Avenue, Radcliffe, was sentenced to five years after pleading guilty to conspiracy to steal and dangerous driving.

He has also been disqualified from driving for 48 months and is now liable for deportation, the court was told.

Mackenzie Charnock, 20, of Garston Street, Bury, was given an eight-month sentence suspended for 12 months after pleading guilty to assisting an offender.

She was ordered to do 50 hours unpaid work and attend 10 rehabilitation days as well.

Hamza Zeb, 24, will be sentenced at a later date after pleading guilty to conspiracy to steal, handling stolen goods and dangerous driving as his barrister was unable to attend court on Thursday.

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