Masked raiders targeted NINETEEN stores in nationwide spree
Masked raiders who targeted Sainsbury's in Wolverhampton in a nationwide crime spree have been jailed for a total of more than nine years.
Scott Johnston, aged 35, and Scott Warner, 33, targeted four Tesco Express and 15 Sainsbury's Local convenience stores in early morning raids.
The spree ran between May and July last year and included two on Sainsbury's Local in Compton in the space of less than a month.
They would wear masks and dark clothing as they forced the main doors of the premises. They would target the self-service tills for cash before fleeing.
Police finally caught up with them thanks to automatic number plate recongision cameras, forensic and mobile phone evidence.
Dc Rob Clarke said: "Johnston and Warner thought they could evade capture by travelling far and wide using their tried and trusted MO and even though they had been arrested and bailed in other police force areas they brazenly continued their offending.
"Faced with the evidence against them, they had little choice other than to admit their guilt and the court accepted 12 guilty pleas each which covered all 18 burglaries. I am satisfied that they have been given custodial sentences."
Warner was sentenced to 52 months for conspiracy to commit burglary and Johnston was sentenced to 56 months with an extra six months for dangerous driving, for which he will be disqualified for two years and will need to sit an extended retest before getting behind the wheel again.
Johnston, from Lancia Close, Coventry, and Warner, from Missing Oak Close, Bedworth, admitted the offences and were sentenced at Birmingham Crown Court on Friday
18 May - Sainsbury's Local, Compton, Wolverhampton
20 May ? Tesco Express, Measham, Leicestershire
21 May - Sainsbury's Local, Melton Mowbray, Leicestershire
2 June - Sainsbury's Local, Compton, Wolverhampton
4 June - Sainsbury's Local, Marlow, Buckinghamshire
7 June - Sainsbury's Local, Hoole, Chester
12 June - Sainsbury's Local, Knutsfort, Cheshire
13 June - Sainsbury's Local, Southampton
18 June - Sainsbury's Local, Sandown, Isle of Wight
19 June - Sainsbury's Local, Albert Road, Southsea
19 June - Sainsbury's Local, Palmerstone Road, Southsea
23 June - Sainsbury's Local, Hove
2 July ? Tesco Express, Southbourne Grove, Bournemouth
2 July ? Tesco Express, Tuckton Road, Bournemouth
6 July - Sainsbury's Local, Fulford Road, York
6 July - Sainsbury's Local, Bootham, York
14 July - Sainsbury's Local, Bishopston, Bristol
15 July - Sainsbury's Local, Carshalton, Surrey
