Robbers who blew up ATMs at shops spent sum on holidays

Wesley Shepherd, from Sale, and Ben Thompson, from Wythenshawe, struck at four premises over four months last year.

A CCTV compilation from these shops, one of which was in the borough and the rest of which were across the North West, showed Shepherd and Thompson storming into them with weapons and threatening the workers with violence.

The pair of robbers blew up ATMs and stole almost £160,000, causing tens of thousands of pounds of damage to the businesses in the explosions. 

After an investigation GMP's Serious and Organised Crime Group arrested Shepherd at his mother's house and Thompson outside a supermarket.

Previously, they were spotted at Manchester Airport using their ill-gotten gains to fly off to far-flung countries such as Egypt or Mexico on holidays.

They admitted the charges of conspiracy to cause an explosion and conspiracy to commit robbery and this week they were sentenced by Judge Alan Conrad at Manchester Crown Court.

Shepherd, 40, of Thirsk Avenue, Sale, was sentenced to 18 years and eight months in prison and Thompson, 36, of Kenworthy Lane, Wythenshawe, was sentenced to 20 years in prison.

Detective Sergeant Rich McCorry, of GMP's Serious and Organised Crime Group, said: "These men had no regard for the safety of the public in their endeavour to make some cash. This type of behaviour is intolerable and the impact such an attack can have on a victim is huge.

"Following an investigation with colleagues from across Greater Manchester and Staffordshire we were able to link the crimes and now two dangerous men are behind bars for a long time."

Anyone with information about a crime can contact police on 101 or use the LiveChat on gmp.police.uk.

They can contact Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111. 

This article was written by Jack Tooth. To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.