Four jailed for over 20 years for burglaries
1st February 2016
Four men from Manchester have been sentenced to more than 20 years after a series of offences across the country.
All pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary:
Michael Rowlinson, 25, of no fixed abode was sentenced to 4 years 10 months, he was also convicted of dangerous driving
Nathan Green, 32, of Sale Road, Wythenshawe, Manchester, was sentenced to 5 years 9 months
David Bennett, 37, of Arbor Avenue, Burnage, Manchester, was sentenced to 5 years 7 months and he was also convicted of producing of cannabis, and
David Murphy, 29, of Craven Road, Broadheath, Manchester, was sentenced to 5 years 4 months.
The men stole more than £160,000 from banks and bus depots from more than 14 forces areas across England and Scotland.
All four men were also issued with a Proceeds of Crime Order for £160,000 each and the court also imposed Serious Crime Prevention Orders on the four.
The men were arrested as part of Operation Eagle, which was an investigation into a series of 21 cash point and bus depot burglaries involving a professional crime group from Manchester who travelled extensively to commit crime.
The damage caused during the commission of these crimes is estimated to be considerably higher.
Two of those offences were committed in the North East prompting a swift response from the North East Regional Specialist Operations Unit (NERSOU) who quickly identified those responsible. This included a bank in Whickham, Gateshead and a bus depot in Redcar, Cleveland.
The four men pleaded guilty and on Friday, January 29, and were sentenced to a total of 21 years 6 months behind bars.
Head of NERSOU Detective Superintendent Alan Veitch has welcomed the sentence.
D/Supt Veitch said: “This is another example of tenacious investigative work by NERSOU officers leading to the capture and successful prosecution of a professional burglary team not previously known to our region. We will continue to target and bring to justice those involved in committing high value crime in our communities.
“The sentences applied accurately reflect the level of criminality and should serve to be a lesson to those who seek to travel and commit crime within the North East.”
Northumbria Police and Crime Commissioner, Vera Baird, said: “I wish to congratulate our officers, working as part of the North East Regional Specialist Operations Unit, for their involvement and hope this sentencing sends out a clear message to those who commit crimes like this – you will be caught and locked up.”
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