Four men from Rumney have appeared before magistrates charged with conspiracy to steal motor vehicles as part of an alleged plot to raid a Llandybie HGV repair depot.

The four are accused of targeting Roger Evans HGV Repairs between May 17, 2013, and June 23, 2013.

Andrew Price, of 32 Trowbridge Road, Anthony O’Neill, of 34 Trowbridge Road, Thomas Price and Tom Price, both of 197 Greenway Road, entered no pleas when they appeared before Llanelli magistrates on Thursday.

The men are accused of conspiring to steal a Mercedes Horsebox lorry belonging to Roger Evans Repairs Ltd, a Mercedes lorry belonging to LSN Diffusion Ltd, a Leyland DAF truck belonging to Tony Powell Transport and a DAF Flatbed with Hiab belonging to Cross Hands Transport Ltd.

Magistrates were told that such was the seriousness of the alleged offence it fell beyond their jurisdiction to hear the case.

“This type of offence cannot be dealt with by a magistrates court and it has to go to the crown court,” they told the four.

A fifth man, 54-year-old Michael Dean Hayman, of Isca Works, Mill Parade in Newport, failed to attend the hearing.

He contacted court officials on Thursday morning claiming he would be unable to attend because his vehicle “had broken down”.

Prosecutors allege that Hayman received vehicles stolen by O’Neill and the three Price men and then dismantled the vehicles for resale as parts.

A warrant was issued for Hayman’s arrest while the case against the other four men was sent for a plea and case management hearing before Swansea Crown Court.

They are due to appear in Swansea on June 20.