TWO more people have appeared in court charged in connection with an alleged £2million conspiracy to steal vehicles, heavy plant, fuel and materials.

Company boss Joseph Bowes, of Wysteria Drive, Lower Darwen, was previously sent in custody to Preston Crown Court on three charges of conspiring with Mark Greenwood, 40, of Carnoustie Drive, Euxton, and others.

Greenwood was remanded on bail on condition that he surrenders his passport, does not apply for foreign travel documents and after a surety of £10,000 was put up by his girlfriend Joanne Birkett, a former police officer.

Wayne Ingle, 35, of Queensway Newchurch, Rossendale, and Helena Bowes, 30, of Mail Road, Ballinaslo, Ireland, appeared on the same charges of conspiracy to steal, conspiracy to obtain property by deception and conspiracy to defraud others.

The court had previously been told the case revolved around the purchase of companies and using them to establish credit references.

Prosecutor Neil White said £2million worth of property had been bought on credit and much of it had been shipped to Northern Ireland.

He said Bowes operated a tipper fleet from premises in Park Road, Padiham, and owned a quarry in Brookfield Road, Harwood, Bolton, and other businesses.