Crime-spree crook jailed for 10 years

A VILLAIN who carried out a series of offences across Greater Manchester and Cheshire has been jailed.

Tony Lock was sentenced for burglary, theft and fraud offences following a string of thefts in Bolton last year.

His Greater Manchester crime spree started in March then moved onto Cheshire in June.

He was eventually caught out when police spotted a stolen Ford B-Max car parked up outside a shop in Leigh on June 7, 2019.

Inside the shop, Lock and his partner Lauren O’Hara attempted to buy items with a bank card which had been stolen earlier that day.

When arrested, Lock, of Church Street, Leigh, was found in possession of two sets of car keys, bank cards and a mobile phone.

O’Hara, 36, was found in possession of cash, a watch, a sat nav and a bank card. A search of the car revealed more items which had been reported stolen to police.

The pair were then arrested, charged and remanded into custody. Lock was sentenced at Chester Crown Court for six counts of burglary and conspiracy to handle stolen goods.

He was also sentenced for burglary, theft and fraud offences committed in the Bolton area between March 2019 to May 2019. He had pleaded guilty to all offences at earlier hearings. He was jailed for 10 years.

O’Hara, of Whitegate Avenue, Culcheth, Warrington, was handed an 18-month sentence suspended for two years for her role in handling items stolen in the burglaries in Warrington. Det Con Michael McDermott said: “This is a fantastic result and reflects the hard work and commitment shown by the Warrington Beat Initiative Team following a

Everyone has a right to feel safe in their homes. Offences like this have a devastating impact David Keane

Tony Lock was sentenced to 10 years in prison

lengthy investigation into burglaries in the town. I am pleased that Lock is behind bars for these offences and I hope that this acts as a deterrent to those who think they can get away with this type of crime.

“I would like to thank our colleagues at Greater Manchester Police for their help with the case.

“Residents are reminded to remain vigilant and always ensure that their vehicles and homes are secure to make it as difficult as possible for criminals to target them.”

David Keane, Police and Crime Commissioner for Cheshire, said: “Everyone has the right to feel safe in their homes. Offences like this have a devastating impact on victims and on the wider community.”