Jason Reader, left, and David Wilson swiped at ATM from Brands Hatch

by Keith Hunt

Two "old lags" who took a cash machine containing more than £20,000 from Brands Hatch race circuit have each been jailed for two years.

A judge told Jason Reader, 37, and 40-year-old David Wilson: "Here you are now, not in the full bloom of youth - a couple of old lags who are going on a downward spiral.

"If anyone in court is a betting man they would not put money on either of you staying out of the criminal justice system when released from this sentence."

Reader, of Valley Drive, Gravesend, and Wilson, of no fixed address, but previously from Maidstone, admitted theft and taking a transit van.

Wilson also admitted driving while disqualified and was banned for four years.

Maidstone Crown Court heard the pair cut through a link fence and a tree was damaged to break into the perimeter of the circuit at Fawkham late on the evening of October 4.

Iestyn Morgan, prosecuting, said a police officer heard a bang coming from the circuit and then saw a transit van towing a metal object along the gravel track.

The driver got out and another van arrived. The rear doors of the transit van were opened and the ATM was put in the back. Police followed the transit van to the Premier Inn Hotel, in Gravesend.

The van was blocked in by police cars and Reader and Wilson ran off, but were caught. Reader had a balaclava in his pocket. Wilson was wearing gloves.

Mr Morgan said the cash machine - containing £20,550 - was recovered from the back of the van, which had been stolen in a burglary in June.

Reader had 16 convictions for 46 offences, including theft and burglary. In 2009, he was jailed for almost three years.

Wilson had 19 convictions for 32 offences for similar matters. He was jailed for five years in 2001.

Passing sentence, Judge Jeremy Carey said: "This is about as depressing a case as comes before the court - depressing for a whole range of reasons.

"It is depressing for the public because this kind of offending is frightening and highly visible in terms of publicity and is regarded as particularly unpleasant and threatening to general security.

"It is depressing for your family because yet again you both go to prison."