The court’s decision has drawn attention to the serious implications of the crime, with the judge emphasizing the potential health risks posed by the burglary. Three men from South London have been sentenced to five years and three months each for their involvement in a sophisticated theft of nearly £1 million worth of the weight-loss drug Mounjaro from a distribution facility.
Mark Harding, 55; Robert Townsend, 59; and Peter Costello, 44, executed the burglary on January 24, 2026, at a pharmaceutical distribution site located on Handley Page Way in St Albans. The trio gained entry by navigating through an air duct behind an air conditioning unit and subsequently breaking into a walk-in refrigerator.
Details of the Burglary
During the proceedings at St Albans Crown Court, Judge Jonathan Mann KC reviewed extensive CCTV footage that captured the defendants in action. The video showed Harding and Costello, both dressed in black and equipped with gloves and torches, infiltrating the premises through the air duct. They quickly moved through the facility and forced open a large refrigerated area to access boxes of the weight-loss medication.
According to the prosecution, Townsend acted as a lookout, having scouted the site a week prior to the burglary. The defendants were arrested on February 11, 2026, and subsequently charged with burglary. Harding and Townsend also faced additional charges for possession of criminal property after authorities discovered significant amounts of cash hidden in their homes. Specifically, £35,000 was found in a picnic basket in Harding’s wardrobe, while £19,900 was located behind an extractor fan in Townsend’s residence.
Legal Proceedings and Sentencing
In court, Judge Mann remarked on the premeditated nature of the crime, stating, „Tools were used to cut through an air conditioning unit, which enabled Mr. Costello and Mr. Harding to enter the property. This indicates that the burglary was planned in advance.“ The judge expressed skepticism towards Harding’s defense, which claimed he was unaware of the full extent of the operation, asserting that it „belies common sense“ to think otherwise.
All three men have prior convictions, with both Costello and Harding having been prosecuted for other burglaries in the past decade. The public gallery was filled with family and friends as the judge handed down the sentences, with each defendant receiving five years and three months for the burglary charge. Additionally, Townsend and Harding were given concurrent nine-month sentences for the possession of criminal property.
Implications of the Crime
Detective Sergeant Will Daglish of Hertfordshire Constabulary commented on the severity of the crime, stating, „This was a very serious crime – weight-loss drugs must be stored correctly and are dangerous if they are not administered in the right way. By breaking into the fridges storing the Mounjaro drug, their actions posed a serious health risk to the public.“
Lawyer Sophia Malik from the Crown Prosecution Service highlighted the meticulous planning involved in the burglary, noting that the defendants took significant measures to avoid detection. However, the evidence collected through phone location data, automatic number plate recognition records, and CCTV footage ultimately linked them to the crime.
As a result of the strong case presented by the prosecution and police, all three men admitted their involvement and will now serve their sentences. Proceeds of crime proceedings are expected to follow concerning the criminal property discovered in the homes of Townsend and Harding.
Quellen: mylondon.news
Bildquelle: Depositphotos
