Store raids trio have jail terms increased
GANG TARGETED BIG-NAME SHOPS ACROSS SERIES OF COUNTIES
THREE burglars who carried out raids across Leicestershire and four other counties, hitting a string of big-name supermarkets, have had their jail sentences increased.
The gang embarked on a four-month crime spree and raided many stores, including those belonging to the Co-op, Sainsbury’s, Tesco and Morrisons.
The trio, two of whom are cousins, carried out burglaries and attempted burglaries in the same Leicestershire village on one night.
During their burglary blitz they stole £300,000 worth of cigarettes and caused more than £115,000 of damage.
Otis William Barrett, 26, previously of Banbury Close, Northampton, Matthew Lawrence Brown, 30, previously of Crow Lane, Northampton, and his cousin Terrance Mark Brown, 25, previously of Glebeland Road, Northampton, all pleaded guilty to 52 offences which happened between January and May last year.
They burgled the Co-op in Lutterworth Road, Blaby, on April 1 and then tried to break into Howkins Garage in Lutterworth Road, North Kilworth, on the same night.
The next day, they burgled the Tesco store in The Square, Countesthorpe, and on the same night tried to break into the Co-op in Main Street in the same village.
The thieves stole cigarettes in a raid on the Co-op in Coventry Road, Market Harborough, on February 2.
They also burgled Walcote Service Station in Lutterworth Road, Walcote, on March 21.
Their crimes took place across several counties including Northamptonshire, Leicestershire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Warwickshire, and involved the three men forcing their way into stores.
Their targets included some of the major supermarket chains but also smaller shops including independent newsagents.
They stole thousands of pounds worth of items and, on some occasions, the trio would raid several stores in one night, some of them in different counties. They forced their way into premises using power tools and crowbars, wearing balaclavas and gloves to hide their identities.
Stolen cars and numerous stolen number plates were also used in order to evade police detection.
On one occasion they targeted the clothing store Thackerays, in Northampton, twice in one week, stealing thousands of pounds worth of designer clothing each time.
Their burglaries carried on throughout lockdown and finally, on May 1, they were caught by police after raiding Tesco Express in Coppice Drive, Northampton.
All three men pleaded guilty to the offences at Northampton Crown Court, with Otis Barrett handed a jail term of six years and four months and Brown and Brown each sentenced to six years.
They have all had their prison sentences increased by three years.
Last Thursday, three High Court judges concluded the sentences were “unduly lenient”.
They agreed with the submissions made on behalf of the Solicitor General that the overall offending was so serious it needed sentences close to the statutory maximum, even after credit for the men’s guilty pleas.
Supt Lee McBride, head of the Force’s Serious and Organised Crime Team, said: “We welcome the ruling from the Solicitor General which will rightly see the prison terms for these three offenders extended.
“Northamptonshire is a hostile environment for criminals and these lengthy sentences show that crime does not pay.
“Working alongside our partners, the serious and organised crime team will pursue those who feel they are above the law and ensure our communities are kept safe.”
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