Macclesfield Co-op cash machine gang jailed

Members of a gang who used bottled gas to blow up the cash machine at the Co-op in Macclesfield – and 14 other cash machines across the North West of England and Wales have been jailed.

Using power tools to crack open the ATMs, before blasting them with gas, the gang stole £429,960 from 15 machines between March 2018 and February 2019 – their biggest theft from the Macclesfield Co-op which yielded £100,000.

The court heard how the group also caused tens of thousands of pounds worth of damage to the premises which were targeted, many of which were Co-op stores.

• Lewis Murkin was jailed for 10 years and eight months for conspiracy to cause an explosion likely to endanger life or property and conspiracy to commit burglary with intent to steal
• Philip Clarke was jailed for 10 years and eight months for conspiracy to cause an explosion likely to endanger life or property and conspiracy to commit burglary with intent to steal
• Ryan Wilson was jailed for 10 years and eight months for conspiracy to cause an explosion likely to endanger life or property and conspiracy to commit burglary with intent to steal
• Michael Cash was jailed for 10 years and eight months for conspiracy to cause an explosion likely to endanger life or property and conspiracy to commit burglary with intent to steal
• Martin Goldstraw was jailed for five years and four months after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary, after he assisted the group by stealing cars for them to use in the operation

A GMP spokesman said “the group showed a “blatant disregard for the safety of others. The severity of the offences should not be underestimated and I want to stress the impact of these crimes have on our communities.“

“Their actions caused significant damage to business premises, causes significant inconvenience for business owners and the public who often depend on businesses and cash machines to make an honest living and go about their daily lives.“