THREE Stretford men who were part of an 11-strong sledgehammer-wielding gang which went on a month-long burglary spree across the North West have been jailed.
The gang were sentenced to a total of 55 years at Manchester Crown Court today, Friday, after all eleven pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary at an earlier hearing.
David Matthews
David Matthews, 29, of Taylors Road, Stretford was jailed for five years six months for his involvement. Accomplices Leon Whalley, 30, of Rowsley Road, Stretford and Ryan Hamilton, 24, of Bradshaw Lane, Stretford each received a five year prison sentence.
The group went on the rampage in the summer of last year, committing 15 burglaries across the North West between June 6 and July 30 2015.
On June 7 2015, they stole a Mini Countryman car from a property in Bramhall and on July 15 2015, they stole a Black VW Golf from a property Crescent Road, Portwood, Stockport.
The group then used the cars to transport them in their burglary spree, which spanned across Greater Manchester, Cheshire, Staffordshire and Derbyshire.
Leon Whalley
In some instances the group used heavy duty equipment, such as angle grinders and sledge-hammers, to force their way into the premises. They targeted mainly shops and stole alcohol and cigarettes.
ATM machines were also targeted at premises such as banks and off-licences, where chainsaws were used to cut through the lock and back doors to the machines.
Ryan Hamilton
In total they stole more than £100,000 of cash and goods and caused approximately £52,000 worth of damage to the premises they burgled.
Police Constable Richard McCorry said: "This group organised and orchestrated a burglary spree that spanned across the North West.
"They were so determined that they used sledge-hammers to smash their way in to some shops and showed absolutely no signs of stopping.
"I hope these sentences show the lengths we will go to, to stop organised criminals from blighting our communities and damaging people's lives and businesses."
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