Three Tata Steel Workers Jailed for £1.2 Million Tin Ingot Theft Scheme
Matthew Membury, 32, received £740,000 into his account from scrap dealers after repeatedly driving his transit van into the Tata Steel works in Trostre, Llanelli, using a fraudulent ID. He subsequently paid his co-conspirators: Thomas Ashford, 35, Stewart Jones, 56, and Richard Jones, 29, all employees at the site.
Swansea Crown Court heard that Stewart Jones, a security supervisor, facilitated Membury's access during quiet periods, sending messages to confirm when the site was safe. Ashford, a cast house supervisor, used a forklift to load the tin ingots into Membury’s van.
All four pleaded guilty to conspiracy to steal between July 2023 and October 2024. Membury also admitted to three charges of possessing a bladed article after three swords were found in his van during his arrest.
Ashford, from Tairgwaith, Brynamman, and Stewart Jones, from Llanelli, were each jailed for three years and four months. Richard Jones, from Townhill, Swansea, received a 20-month sentence, suspended for two years, along with 250 hours of unpaid work and an electronically-monitored curfew.
Membury, from Landore, Swansea, declined to appear for sentencing. His custodial sentence for this crime will be added to a 32-month term he is currently serving for arson, once he presents himself to the court.
The financial gains were substantial: Membury retained almost £340,000, Ashford received over £250,000, Stewart Jones more than £80,000, and Richard Jones approximately £60,000. Prosecutor Craig Jones indicated the Crown Prosecution Service would seek to recover these proceeds of crime.
James Davies, the works manager, stated that the thefts were “damaging” to the business, leading to increased security measures, including staff being required to park off-site. The Trostre plant produces around 400,000 tonnes of tin, chrome, and coated steels annually, employing over 600 people.
Judge Paul Thomas KC condemned the thefts as a “gross breach of trust.” Tata Steel confirmed its cooperation with Dyfed-Powys Police, expressing satisfaction that “criminal proceedings relating to this matter have now been resolved.”
