MEMBERS of a criminal gang are facing lengthy spells behind bars for their involvement in £1 million cash machine raids.
Two men from Wisbech St Mary and four from Peterborough have admitted conspiracy charges in connection with a series of high value thefts across the region.
They were snared during a massive police operation which saw officers from four forces swo
op on two homes.
Geoffrey Manning, John Smith, Wesley Smith and Steven Upton were all arrested in the raid on bungalows in Peterborough last October.
The four appeared before a judge at Lincoln Crown Court accused of plotting to break into cash machines across the Midlands and the East.
Manning (33), of Seadyke Bank, Wisbech St Mary; John Smith (35), of Edgerley Drain Road, Peterborough; Wesley Smith (25), of Flag Fen View, Palmers Road, Peterborough; and Upton (27), of Seadyke Road, Wisbech St Mary; all pleaded guilty to conspiracy to burgle between April 1, 2006 and October 31, 2007.
They were remanded in custody as Judge Michael Heath adjourned sentencing until next month.
Two other gang members admitted lesser charges of conspiracy to steal.
Jason Bingley (29), of East Water Crescent, Peterborough, and Ross Drew (35), of Godwit Crescent, Whittlesey, were freed on bail and will be sentenced alongside the four other defendants.
The full article contains 220 words and appears in Fenland Citizen newspaper.
