SEVEN men have been jailed for a total of 92 years for a series of thefts and attempt thefts from cash machines throughout the UK, including Swindon, as well as for a number of burglaries.

The offences included an explosion at the Barclays branch in Rivenhall Road, Westlea, in 2015, resulting in an £84,000 theft, damage to the ATM of £20,794 and damage to the building of £10,119.

The men were jailed at Liverpool Crown Court following a covert investigation conducted by Titan, the Northwest Regional Organised Crime Unit.

Andrew White, 28, of St Helens, was sentenced to 19 years imprisonment with a further two years on licence. White pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary and was found guilty of conspiracy to cause explosions.

Anthony White, 26, of Huyton, was sentenced to 16 years’ imprisonment after being found guilty of conspiracy to commit burglary and conspiracy to cause explosions.

Nanu Miah, 28, Birmingham, was sentenced to life imprisonment. He will be only eligible to apply for parole after a minimum of nine years. Miah pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary and was found guilty of conspiracy to cause explosions.

Anthony Conroy, 29, of Wavertree, was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment. Conroy pleaded guilty to both offences. Carl Cavanagh, 33, of Huyton, was sentenced to 11 years imprisonment. Cavanagh pleaded guilty to both offences. Michael Galea, 41, of Prescot, was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment. Galea was found guilty of both offences.

Gary Carey, 40, of Liverpool, was sentenced to 10 years imprisonment to commence at the completion of his current sentence. Carey was found guilty of conspiracy to cause an explosion.

The judge also issued Serious Crime Prevention Orders on all seven men, which is a specified order to protect the public by preventing, restricting or disrupting involvement by the individual in serious crime in England and Wales, or Northern Ireland.

The crime group was thought to be responsible for causing explosions at ATMs across the length and breadth of the country in order to steal their contents. Detectives tracked the group as they travelled around the country scoping premises.

They also stole motorhomes to transport the equipment and they used to carry out the ATM gas attacks. Officers even recovered a Scania lorry with a stolen trailer unit. When officers opened up the trailer they found it had been converted to house a stolen RS4, the trailer came complete with ramps so that the vehicle could be quickly loaded on to it following an offence. The offenders also had hammocks strung up in the rear of their trailer so they could use it to rest. A number of large fuel canisters (used to refuel the Audi and tractor unit) were also stored onboard to cut down on visits to petrol stations and motorway forecourts. Other items recovered included petrol powered grinders, gas cylinders, cloned plates, tools and electrical tape. Police were able to obtain DNA profiles from various items which linked to Carl Cavanagh, Michael Galea, and Anthony Conroy.

Following a police operation on 28th June 2016, eight men were charged with conspiracy to cause an explosion under s.3 (1) (a) Explosive Substances Act 1883, and all with the exception of Gary Carey, were also charged with conspiracy to commit burglary.

Andrew White, 28 years, of Exeter Street, St Helens, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary and was found guilty of conspiracy to cause explosions.

Anthony White, 26 years. of Kingswood, Huyton, has been found guilty of both offences.

Nanu Miah, 28 years, of Sparbrook, Birmingham, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary and was found guilty of conspiracy to cause explosions.

Anthony Conroy, 29 years, of Wavertree Vale, Wavertree, pleaded guilty to both offences.

Carl Cavanagh, 33 years, of Barford, Huyton, pleaded guilty to both offences.

Michael Galea, 41 years, of Gregson Road, Prescot, was found guilty of both offences

Gary Carey, 40 years, of Burford Road Liverpool, was found guilty of conspiracy to cause an explosion.

Scott Pearson, 35 years, of Ena Crescent, Leigh, was found not guilty of burglary.