Gang jailed for explosive raids on cashpoints

A gang of raiders who blew cashpoints out of the walls of countryside post offices and garages have been jailed.

Joel Spears, 31, Ermias Fekade, 36, and Stephen Fahri, 36, stole £148,250 in eight raids across the South East. The explosions – using gas cylinders – caused a huge amount of damage to the buildings and terrified residents.

Spears, of Wimbledon, and Fekade, of Hove, East Sussex, were found guilty of conspiracy to cause explosions and steal after a six-week trial at Croydon Crown Court.

Fahri, of Brighton, admitted the same offence. Spears was jailed for 20 years, Fahri received 17 years and Fekade was jailed for 16 years.