Ashley Brown, Steven Boxsell: Duo not guilty of ‘rebirthing’ stolen vehicles

Two men have learned their fate for creating number plates and labels which police had alleged supported an illegal operation to “rebirth” stolen vehicles.

Two men have been cleared of wrongdoing for creating number plates and labels which supported an illegal operation to “rebirth” stolen vehicles.

Ashley Brown, 66, and Steven Boxsell, 59, were found not guilty in the NSW District Court on Thursday (July 22) following a judge-alone trial.

They were among a group of six people arrested and charged in 2019 following a lengthy investigation into a car “rebirthing” syndicate allegedly worth millions of dollars.

Steven Boxsell of Macquarie Links. Picture: Facebook

Car rebirthing involves replacing parts on a stolen vehicle in an effort to modify or re-sell the vehicle.

Judge Christopher O’Brien found Brown and Boxsell not guilty on their charges after considering their involvement in the operation.

“(Brown) would receive a request to produce a number plate then would let (a co-accused) know the number plate was available for collection,” Judge O’Brien said.

The court heard Brown claimed he was “just doing his job” and had produced number plates previously – but did not know it was illegal.

A vehicle seized by police during the 2019 investigation. Picture: NSW Police

The Westleigh man denied any knowledge the number plates were being used to convert the identity of cars by others.

Judge O’Brien found Brown was “careless” and showed “little regard” for how the number plates were being used, but accepted he did not know they were being used to rebirth cars.

“I am unable to reject his denial that he had no knowledge that he was facilitating a car rebirthing activity,” Judge O’Brien found.

“Without knowledge a verdict of not guilty must be entered.”

He was found not guilty on four offences including knowingly facilitate organised car rebirthing activity.

The judgement was given in the Downing Centre District Court (pictured).

Police also found $20,000 cash in his possession after he was arrested.

However, Judge O’Brien accepted it was money he had collected from the legal sale of hobby cars.

Meanwhile, his co-accused Boxsell created unique ID labels for vehicles which were used during the illegal operation.

Judge O’Brien called his involvement “suspicious” but ultimately found he was unaware he was facilitating a rebirthing operation.

The Macquarie Links man was found not guilty on two counts including knowingly facilitate organised car rebirthing activity and dishonestly make unique identifier.

The pair previously pleaded not guilty to their charges before facing a judge-alone trial.