Burglars who stole more than £300,000 worth of cigarettes have prison sentences extended

Three Northampton men responsible for a string of supermarket burglaries, that saw them steal over £300,000 worth of cigarettes, had their “unduly lenient” prison sentences extended.

All three men pleaded guilty to 52 offences of conspiracy to commit burglary from January early this year to May 1 when they were caught by police after burgling a Tesco Express in Coppice Drive in Parklands, Northampton.

The three High Court judges, at yesterday’s hearing (December 17) concluded that their initial prison sentences were “unduly lenient”, agreeing with the Solicitor-General that the overall offending was so serious, it needed a sentence close to the statutory maximum sentence.

Otis Barrett, 26, of Banbury Close in West Hunsbury had three years added on to his original six years and four-month sentence.

Matthew Brown, 30, of Crow Lane in Little Billing, and Terrance Mark Brown, 26, of Glebeland Road in Spencer, also had three years added to their six-year custodial sentences.

Supt Lee McBride, head of the Force’s Serious and Organised Crime Team, said: “We welcome the ruling from the Solicitor-General which will rightly see the prison terms for these three offenders extended.

“Northamptonshire is a hostile environment for criminals and these lengthy sentences show that crime does not pay. Working alongside our partners the serious and organised crime team will pursue those who feel they are above the law and ensure our communities are kept safe.”

The gang, during this time, targeted well-known stores such as Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Co-op and Morrisons. They additionally targeted smaller shops and independent newsagents across Northamptonshire, Leicestershire, Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Warwickshire.

The group stole around £300,000 worth of cigarettes and caused more than £120,000 of damage during at least 45 burglaries.

Power tools and crow bars were used to break into each premises and the men wore balaclavas and gloves to conceal their identities. Stolen cars and a number of stolen number plates were used to evade police detection.

They, at one point, targeted Thackerays - in Wellingborough Road, Northampton - twice in one week, stealing thousands of pounds worth of designer clothing each time.