The aftermath of the first raid at Asda in Greenhithe

by Keith Hunt

Two men have been jailed for their part in ram raids on cash machines that caused hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of damage.

Tony Hart, of Christianfields, King’s Farm, Gravesend, was sentenced to six-and-a-half years and Jon Cloke, of Rochester Road, Gravesend, to five years nine months.

Maidstone Crown Court heard the thieves stole about £160,000 and caused over £400,000 worth of damage. They targeted Asda in Greenhithe, Tesco in Gillingham and NatWest Bank in Larkfield between June and October last year, having stolen diggers and other vehicles to remove ATM machines.

Audio: Det Insp Tom Richards tells of the success of the case

In the first raid on Asda in Greenhithe in the early hours of June 21, the corner of the store was demolished and a cash machine containing £160,000 was stolen. The damage was estimated at £120,000.

The second raid on Tesco in Gillingham was unsuccessful but £200,000 worth of damage was caused in attempting to remove the ATM.

The raid on NatWest in Larkfield was also bungled. The stolen digger used became stuck. This time the bill for damage was £84,000.

Hart and Cloke, both 23, admitted conspiracy to burgle.