A gang took nearly £40,000 in cash after raiding seven convenience stores in the space of just over a month.
The Liverpool-based organised crime group targeted Co-op shops across the North West, arming themselves with "heavy duty" tools and breaking in after the premises has closed for the day. Three dads - Anthony Carroll, Anthony Hollywood and Daniel Kelly - were today locked up over their respective roles in the operation.
Liverpool Crown Court heard this morning, Monday, that the crime spree would see the burglars force the shutters of stores open before stealing cash from the safe. The first came at the Co-op on Knutsford Road in Latchford, Warrington, at around 10.30pm on February 10.
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Two men with a crowbar entered the building while another remained outside and stole £7,480. The following day saw a branch in Southport targeted at 11.15pm, with just over £6,500 taken.
A shop in Runcorn was then raided to the tune of £3,185 before two attacks on Valentine's Day. One incident in Salford saw more than £10,000 taken shortly before midnight on February 14.
Then, at around 1.30am, the offenders travelled to a convenience store in Hoylake and pinched £6,500. Later that same day, Hollywood was stopped by police and arrested.
Officers subsequently discovered £6,900 in cash in his bedroom, while clothing recovered matched that worn by an offender seen on CCTV footage. The raids continued on March 12 though, when a Co-op in Formby was burgled for £2,697 in cash at around 11pm.
The spate of break-ins ended at the Co-op on Chaise Meadow, Lymm, after men brandishing a crowbar entered late at night and took more than £2,000. The money stolen during all seven burglaries totalled £38,487.
Carroll and Kelly were linked to the crimes by automatic number plate recognition cameras and mobile phone cell siting data. The former had acted as a getaway driver and had only been involved in two of the offences.
The 42-year-old granddad, of Longfellow Street in Toxteth, is awaiting a heart transplant and has collapsed 10 times in prison since his detention. Charles Lander, defending, told the court that his client had previously worked helping the homeless.
Carroll, who appeared via video link to HMP Liverpool, has 19 previous convictions for 44 offences - including for attempted burglary in 2015. Mr Lander added: "The regrettable background to this offence is his alcohol addiction, made worse by his mother's death.
"He was drinking too much, around three bottles of whisky daily. He is determined to lead a law-abiding lifestyle on his release and to be a proper father and grandfather."
Kelly - who has 56 convictions for 91 offences, including three for burglary between 2005 and 2007 - was involved in five of the burglaries. Defending the 31-year-old, of Prior Street in Bootle, Jeremy Rawson said: "Drugs are regrettably the root to all his problems.
"Once this matter is resolved, he would like to put the past behind him and focus upon his two young children and partner, who has stood by him steadfastly for many years."
Hollywood too was involved in five of the seven incidents. The 42-year-rold, of Stafford Drive in Bootle, has now racked up 23 convictions for 34 offences - including burglaries in 1998 and 2003 and an offence of conspiracy to commit burglary in 2007.
Defending, Matthew O'Neill said of the dad-of-two: "He had taken drastic steps to address his offending behaviour, and for the majority of the time was in full-time employment. Around three years ago, he unfortunately lost his employment due to problems he was having with his health.
"He then started to spiral out of control and found himself back in the life of crime he was once associated with. He now finds himself back before the court system, but intends this to be the last time he will be before the courts for any sort of criminal activity."
All three defendants admitted conspiracy to commit burglary, while Hollywood also pleaded guilty to possession of criminal property. He was jailed for 40 months, while Kelly was locked up for 45 months.
Carroll received 28 months behind bars. Sentencing, Judge Anil Murray said: "You all have previous convictions.
"You all accept that this has to be an immediate custodial sentence. This was a professionally planned and executed series of burglaries designed to enable significant financial reward."
Carroll, Hollywood and Kelly could be ordered to repay their ill-gotten gains under the Proceeds of Crime Act at a further court hearing later this year. Charges against a fourth defendant - 27-year-old Shaun Moorcroft, of no fixed address - were withdrawn.
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