Thieves who blew up Castleton Co-op cash machine jailed for 38 years after using stolen money to jet off on holiday

Scroll down for Video

The thieves who blew up the cash machine at the Castleton Co-op in April last year have been jailed for 38 years after using stolen cash to jet off on holiday.

Between April and July 2023, Ben Thompson, 36, of Wythenshawe, and Wesley Shepherd, 40, of Sale, blew up four cash machines across Greater Manchester and Staffordshire in an attempt to gain access to cash.

Driving stolen cars, the men would enter premises armed and threaten staff, before placing an explosive device into the machine.

The Castleton Co-op was targeted on 24 April 2023, the second incident after one in Flixton, followed by similar scenes in Gorton and Stoke on Trent.
 

Read more: Robbers blow up cash machine at Castleton Co-opPublished: 25 April 2023

 

 

In total, Thompson and Shepherd stole almost £160,000, and caused tens of thousands of pounds worth of damage to the businesses.

After stealing the cash, they were spotted passing through Manchester Airport, jetting off to Malaga, Egypt, and Mexico.

Their short-lived high soon came to an end on Tuesday 19 September when police caught up to them.

After witnessing the men in a car together in Sale, armed police moved in to arrest them. Shepherd and Thompson ditched the car and ran to evade police, but they discarded a rucksack. When recovered, police found high visibility vests, gloves, a screwdriver, tape, and a smoke flare.

 

 

The duo were arrested shortly after, Thompson on the forecourt of a supermarket in Hulme, and Shepherd at his mum’s house in Northenden.

After appearing at Manchester Crown Court on Monday 29 January, Thompson was jailed for 20 years and Shepherd for 18 years and eight months.

They both pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery and cause explosion likely to endanger property and life at an earlier hearing.

Detective Sergeant Rich McCorry from GMP Serious Organised Crime Group said: “These men had no regard for the safety of the public in their endeavour to make some fast cash. This type of behaviour is intolerable and the lasting impact that such an unprovoked attack can have on a victim is huge.

“Following a diligent investigation with specialist colleagues from across Greater Manchester and Staffordshire Police, we were able to link the crimes and now two dangerous, reckless men are behind bars for a long time.”