ARMED ROBBERS STRUCK 29 TIMES IN SIX MONTHS

GANG TARGETED A FAMILY HOME AND SUPERMARKETS:

A ‘ PROFESSIONAL’ armed robbery gang carried out terrifying raids at a family home while children watched on, and at a supermarket in the middle of the day.

Daniel Adamson, 34, was convicted of being involved with the Sale-based gang, which struck 29 times over a six-month period last year.

A judge told him he faces an ‘extremely lengthy sentence’ after being found guilty of conspiracy to rob by a jury at Manchester Crown Court. The ‘rampaging’ armed gang struck at a bureau de change at Sainsbury’s in Altrincham, in the middle of the day as shoppers went about their business.

Machete wielding robbers burst into a family home in Trafford, ordering a mum and her two children into a cupboard while they stole cash, jewellery and a high value Mercedes. In another robbery, a female shop worker at a McColls store in Warrington could be seen on CCTV footage being dragged along the ground by one offender.

The court heard the majority of the robberies were carried at Co-op or McColls convenience stores.

Stores were targeted just before closing time because robbers believed more cash would be available, and it would be quieter.

Following a robbery at a Co-op store in Warrington, a police officer followed the offenders back to Trafford. The machetewielding robbers tried to attack the lone officer as he awaited back-up, running at him while still in his car. The driver of a Ford Focus drove at the officer ‘at speed’, narrowly missing him as he sought to apprehend them.

“This was professional, organised criminality, and the people involved in it took care to plan and execute their crimes in such a way as to make it difficult for the police to catch them,” prosecutor Henry Blackshaw said. Jurors were told that a tracker was placed on Adamson’s car, a tactic which had to be authorised by the force’s chief constable. Prosecutors said Adamson was an active participant in the ‘majority’ of the robberies. His DNA was found on the steering wheel of the Focus, which was abandoned near his house.

Another man, 46-year-old Robert Lewis was also charged with conspiracy to rob, after being accused of allowing his home to be used as a ‘safe house’ for the robbery gang. Mr Lewis, of Keswick Road, Stretford, was found not guilty.

The trial heard that one robbery last year, at a family home in the village of Warburton. A couple and their two children were going to bed when they heard a loud bang.

A number of men burst into the house, two wielding machetes and one with a crowbar.

Their 13-year-old daughter said she heard a robber say: “Show us where the safe is, or we’re going to kill you and the rest of your family.”

Other members of the robbery gang have already pleaded guilty.

The sentencing of Adamson, of Hurst Avenue, Sale and other defendants will take place at a later date.

This was professional, organised criminality Prosecutor Henry Blackshaw