A man from Trafford has been jailed for the role he played in a cash-in-transit robbery gang.

On Friday, Nathan Kennedy, 42, from Trafford was jailed for seven years and seven months after pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery.

Fellow gang members Paul Dunn, 34, from Hulme, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery and was jailed for 14 years and three months, and Liam McCloy, 35, from Tameside pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery and was jailed for six years.

The three men were sentenced following a series of armed robberies targeting cash-in-transit drivers as they filled up ATMs.

During each robbery the masked gang would attack the security guard transporting the cash with an axe. In total, the group stole close to £260,000, which police have said Dunn gambled away with little success.

The robbers tried to cover their tracks by hiring rental cars and wearing balaclavas but days after each robbery, money was deposited into Dunn and Kennedy’s bank accounts, leaving a paper trail of the crimes and leading detectives straight to their doorsteps.

On returning from a family holiday, Liam McCloy was arrested on the plane when it landed.

After attempting to hide his phone, officers recovered the device which had phone numbers saved that were attributed to Kennedy and Dunn.

Further examination of his phone showed he had tried to delete dozens of incriminating messages between them.

On August 11 last year, officers executed three warrants across Greater Manchester and arrested Paul Dunn on suspicion of being involved in the robberies.

Then on August 31 last year officers arrested Nathan Kennedy. After an unsuccessful attempt to hide his phone, officers uncovered multiple messages to Dunn and McCloy which fit the timeline of offences. An additional £1000 was also found hidden in his house. Detective Inspector Rick Castley from GMP’s Serious Organised Crime Group said: “Working with our partners across the region, we’re determined to stop these types of offences.

“It is categorically not an easy way to make money, and it isn’t a victimless crime. This was a series of terrifying incidents that saw members of the public, who were simply doing their job, seriously assaulted by masked men armed with weapons and scared for their lives.

“Their robbery spree days are now over following an extensive investigation and I hope these sentencings send out a clear message – no matter how organised and sophisticated a gang may think they are – we will track down offenders and bring them to justice.

Sarah Staff, director of the British Security Industry Association and Head of SaferCash said: “This series of robberies involved extreme violence against staff whilst they carried out ATM replenishments.

“SaferCash works closely with Greater Manchester Police and their Cash & Valuables in Transit members to support these investigations as the ongoing safety of their staff is paramount.

“The sentences received today reflects the seriousness of this offending and on behalf of the industry I would thank all those involved in this investigation for their tireless work in apprehending those involved.”