THREE men have been charged in connection with a series of lead thefts from churches across Somerset.

In a joint investigation with Lincolnshire Police, the three men have been charged with conspiracy to steal between August 2018 and March 2020.

The charge partly relates to 11 offences of theft from churches in the Avon and Somerset Police area

Paul Buica, 25, of George Street, Birmingham, Constantine Motescu, 31, of Sutton Hill, Telford, and Laurentiu Sucea, 37, also of George Street, Birmingham, will next appear before Lincoln Magistrates’ Court on Thursday, June 11.

The thefts connected with this charge in Somerset are:

• Church of St Mary, Chesterblade, between August 21-28, 2019;

• Church of St Edward King and Martyr, Goathurst, Bridgwater, between December 18-19, 2019;

• Church of the Holy Cross, Middlezoy, Bridgwater, between February 11-12, 2020;

• St Mary’s Church, Glastonbury, between February 14-15, 2019;

• St Mary’s Church, Barrington, Ilminster, between February 18-19, 2020;

• St Peter’s Church, Ilton, Ilminster, between February 20-21, 2020;

• St Giles’ Church, Bradford-on-Tone, Taunton, between February 26-27, 2020;

• Church of St Andrew and St Mary, Pitminster, between February 27-28, 2020;

• St John the Baptist Church, Wellington, between February 28-29, 2020

• St Peter and St Paul’s Church, South Petherton, between 4-5 March 2020;

• Church of St Andrew and St Mary, Pitminster, on March 9, 2020.