THE father of three brothers jailed for a string of burglaries including properties in Mobberley and Mere denies playing a role in their crimes.

Prosecutors say John Bridge, 46, from Widnes, was in telephone communication with his sons and their accomplices through two phones while they were committing the burglaries at properties throughout east Cheshire from February to July in 2009.

Warrington Crown Court heard at the start of his trial on Monday how Bridge had pawned two rings at a Liverpool pawnbrokers which the gang had stolen from a property a month before.

David Potter, prosecuting, said: “The gang who had committed these burglaries were forensically aware. The crucial omission was they used their mobile phones before, during and after the burglaries.

“Bridge was receiving reports as to the success, or on two occasions the failure, and no doubt giving advice.”

In a raid in April 2009 on a Mobberley property an expensive toy helicopter with distinctive tape on the tail was taken.

Officers later uncovered it at Bridge’s Barnes Road home to which Bridge responded: “You can’t take that too, it belongs to my son. He’s had it for ages.”

But the tape mark placed by its owner distinguished it as stolen property.

Days later a Mere residence was targeted with possessions to the value of £221,000 and £12,00 in cash taken.

A gold Parker pen with the initials RR was taken, which was later found in the defendant’s house by police in a box containing paperwork for one of his sons.

In another raid in Mobberly that month Bridge’s son Alan called him after two of his accomplices were caught by neighbours who found them.

The prosecution said he called his father to tell him it had gone wrong and soon after called a number listed on his phone as ‘solicitor’.

Police also uncovered diamond and gold testing kits at his home, which was also the principle address for his sons.

The court heard in interview Bridge denied any involvement in the burglaries and he did not know what property was stolen. He was used to having so many mobile phones in his house he would answer any of them. The trial continues.