A Dartford man who was part of an organised criminal network which was involved in cash machine raids across the South East has been jailed.

Appearing before Woolwich Crown Court on January 31, ringleader Adrian Gowers, 55, of Derwent Way, Gillingham, was sentenced to seven years and two months imprisonment. He had previously admitted being involved in five incidents reported across Kent and Essex between February and July 2019.

Also admitting charges of conspiracy to steal cash machines were Phillip Barnard, 25, of High Street, Chelmsford; David Eves, 48, of Larch Road, Dartford; John Lee, 49, of New Waverley Road, Basildon, and Billy John Lee, 28, also of New Waverley Road, Basildon.

The organised crime group were responsible for causing £704,691 in damage to businesses. They also stole vehicles and tools to the value of £32,185.

The five were arrested following an investigation by detectives from the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate.

News Shopper:

Pictured from left to right, top to bottom: Adrian Gowers, John Lee, Billy Lee, Phillip Barnard and David Eves.

During the early hours of July 22, 2019 they targeted a cash machine in Brentwood Road, Essex. A stolen stolen digger was used to pull the ATM from the side of the building, causing thousands of pounds worth of damage in the process.

The men were travelling away from the scene in a van with stolen number plates when they were stopped and arrested.

Officers recovered over £100,000 of cash from the van, which had been specially adapted with a hole in the roof to allow for the cash machine to be dropped into it quickly.

Detectives were then able to link individual members of the gang to four similar thefts in Kent:

  • An attempted theft in Hopeville Avenue, Broadstairs on February 24
  • The theft of a cash machine from a supermarket in Longfield Road, Tunbridge Wells on April 4
  • An incident on May 20 at Hempstead Valley Shopping Centre, Gillingham, in which a cash machine was stolen
  • An attempted theft from Watchgate, Lane End, Dartford on July 10

Barnard was jailed for three years and seven months and John Lee for five years and nine months. Eves was imprisoned for two years and three months and Billy Lee was sentenced to three years and seven months.

News Shopper:

Evidential photos

Detective Inspector James Derham of the Kent and Essex Serious Crime Directorate said: "These men had absolutely no regard for the damage their crimes had on the communities they targeted.

"They put the public in danger with their reckless actions, crippled businesses, caused hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of damage and stole plant machinery which prevented businesses from moving forward with building works. In short, their selfish actions had severe consequences for many people including the local communities who relied upon these facilities.

"The officers involved in the case worked with sheer tenacity to painstakingly piece together the movements of those involved and other key evidence, leaving these men with no other option but to admit their part in the conspiracy."