£1 million cash machine gang member ordered to repay just £3,000

Mohammed Maneer Khan, 32, was jailed for four years and 10 months in 2019 for his role in the conspiracy after the group carried out a series of thefts across the region, leaving a trail of devastation.

The case relates to the seizure of large sums of money and other items following a joint operation between West Mercia Police and West Midlands Regional Organised Crime Unit from alleged cash point thefts dating to 2017.

A proceeds of crime hearing at Shrewsbury Crown Court on Friday was told Khan had a lesser role in the conspiracy and had benefited from £362,700 from his ill-gotten gains but only had available assets in the sum of £3,000.

As a result he was ordered to repay £3,000 by March 19 or serve an extra two months in prison in default.

Khan, who was not present in court, was among five men to be jailed after admitting conspiracy to burgle and converting criminal property.

The spate of incidents initially involved break-ins at Albrighton and Newport fire stations in Shropshire in the summer of 2017, when vital life saving equipment were snatched in preparation for what followed next.

Then the gang struck at The Co-op in Ludlow, Shropshire, when more than £115,000 was stolen.

Surveillance

There were subsequent thefts including at Crossgates Service Station, in Llandrindod Wells, Powys, and at Tesco Express in Whitchurch. They fled with more than £50,000.

In total the gang raked in about £1,163,450 and caused £201,365 damage in just 23 of the 30 burglaries carried out from June 2017 to September 2018.

But they were eventually caught out after officers put one of them under surveillance and the unit was able to link his movements with potential burglaries and his links with the other defendants.

Khan, of Great Hampton Street, Whitmore Reans, Wolverhampton, also admitted possession of criminal property.

Ringleader Noel Reilly, 40, of Weoley Castle, Birmingham, was jailed for seven years and six months and has since been ordered to repay £199,162.99.

Marcus Burton, 34, of Hollywood also Birmingham was jailed for five years and 10 months. he has since been ordered to repay £10 even though the authorities calculated that he benefited to the tune of £231,488.

Martin Steadman, 36, of Luce Road, Low Hill, Wolverhampton, was jailed for seven years and six months, but had no assets and was also ordered to repay £10.

Michael Stubbs, 32, of Asheridge Close, Wednesfield, was jailed for six years and eight months.