A GANG of five men have been jailed for conspiracy to commit burglary and robbery for a combined total of more than 30 years.

Jason Mobey, Jimmy Shea and Les Keet, conspired to target various ATMs across Surrey, Sussex and Hampshire, stealing in excess of half a million and causing approximately £900,000 in damage between July and November 2018.

Mobey and Keet, together with two further men Eric Summerfield and Melvyn Beech, also conspired to violently rob a Surrey resident within their home.

The gang would use heavy machinery to carry out the ram raids before stealing the cash machines during the hours of darkness.

Heavy machinery and getaway vehicles would be stolen, generally from close proximity to offence locations with the group favouring rural farming locations or housing developments.

Many of the vehicles stolen were subsequently burnt out in an attempt to destroy evidence.

The gang’s raids included Tesco Express in Ridgway Rd, Farnham on July 9, 2018; Halifax bank in West Street, Farnham on August 17, 2018; Sleaford Service Station, Bordon on September 21, 2018; and HSBC Bank, 74 High Street, Alton on November 17, 2018.

Jason Mobey, 40, of Macdonald Road, Farnham, pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary (non-dwelling) and conspiracy to commit robbery. He was jailed for 10 years, eight months.

Jimmy Shea, 24, of Nursery Road, Alton pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary (non-dwelling). He was jailed for six years.

Les Keet, 29, of Cobbetts Close, Normandy pleaded guilty conspiracy to commit burglary (non-dwelling) and conspiracy to commit robbery. He was jailed for eight years.

Eric Summerfield, 63, of Walnut Tree Close, Guildford pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery. He was jailed for three years, four months.

Melvyn Beech, 47, of Kingston Road, Leatherhead pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery. He was jailed for three years, four months.

Mobey, Shea and Keet have also been handed a Serious Crime Prevention Order, to last five years.

Head of Serious Organised Crime for Surrey and Sussex, Detective Superintendent Karen Mizzi said: “The sentences handed down show the seriousness of these crimes. This successful result was due to the teamwork involved and I am grateful to all of the officers involved in bringing these men to justice."

More to follow in next week’s Herald...