Gang admit stealing £700k from cash machines

A gang of four raiders stole almost £700,000 from cash machines at supermarkets across the country by attacking them with circular saws, a court heard.

High-powered cars, including Audis and BMWs, were stolen by the men from Walsall and Birmingham, to use during the raids and were driven at speeds of up to 150mph during police pursuits, Birmingham Crown Court heard yesterday. Co-op stores were targeted during the 14-month spree by the group, who wore masks and balaclavas.

Noel Reilly, aged 33, of Southmead Way, Birchills, and David Holmes, 31, of Perch Road, Walsall, admitted two charges of conspiring to commit commercial burglaries between September 2010 and November 2011 and burglary in October last year.

Simon Phillips, 33, of Hullbrook Road, Billesley, and Darren Buckley, 35, of Hazelville Road, Acocks Green, admitted conspiring to commit commercial and house burglaries between September 2010 and October 2011.

Mr Nicholas Cartwright, prosecuting, said there were 33 attacks on cashpoints, with £684,210 stolen and only £83,000 recovered.

Co-op stores in the Park Hall area of Walsall, Solihull and Northfield and Quinton in Birmingham, were targeted in the Midlands.

A total of £84,000 was taken during a single raid on a cash machine in Suffolk.

Mr Cartwright said homes were targeted on six occasions for car keys, laptops and tablet computers, with one Audi being taken from an address in Longford Road, Cannock in July, 2011.

He said some properties were targeted because the cars had been advertised in Auto Trader.

Ms Sophie Murray, defending Buckley, said he acted as a lookout, and was not involved in all the burglaries. Ms Lynette McClement, representing Phillips, said he was a father-of-five who had debt problems and succumbed to temptation.

The hearing was adjourned for sentence on Monday. A proceeds of crime hearing is expected to take place next year.