Former Spalding man jailed for his role in 17 cash machine attacks across England, Scotland and Wales

A former Spalding man has been jailed for his role in committing more than £1 million-worth of damage and theft against cash machines across the UK.

John Smith, 32 and formerly of Evergreen Close in Spalding, was part of a criminal gang which committed 17 attacks against cash machines across England, Wales and Scotland, with more than £600,000 in cash stolen and vehicle theft and building damage at a cost upwards of £1 million. The attacks date back to March 2021.

While Victoria Smith, 35 and formerly of Evergreen Close in Spalding, received 12 months sentence which was suspended for 24 months, for assisting an offender.

He has been sentenced to seven years and six months in Leicester Crown Court today after previously admitting conspiracy to commit a non-dwelling burglary with intent to steal and conspiracy to steal from another.

An investigation into the attacks was led by East Midlands Special Operations Unit (EMSOU), in collaboration with Police Scotland.

EMSOU Detective Chief Inspector Darren Brown said: “This was a brash but technically skilled organised group, which found strength as a close-knit, omni-competent criminal community, operating under a clear leadership.

“On the face of it, this type of crime may seem victimless, but in attacking ATMs this group have attacked at the very heart of the community. Residents were left without a local means of accessing their cash. Many of these attacks also left vital community conveniences, such as Post Offices, petrol stations and ‘corner’ shops out of action while they were repaired. And then there’s the associated residential burglaries and thefts of the vehicles used in the crimes.

“The sentences given today reflect how seriously the criminal justice system views this type of organised offending and the harm it inflicts on society.

“Through some expert investigation and concerted effort we have also demonstrated the level at which UK policing can collaborate across county and country borders in order to protect our communities.”

The gang was found to be using two methods of attack, depending upon the type of cash machine. If it was standalone, they would use a stolen van and straps to rip it from the ground before they would steal the contents and make off in a stolen high-powered vehicle with false registration plates.

For those machines in a building, the gang would use power tools or vehicles to smash through doors, then used a drill and other tools to access the contents of the ATM. They would then drive off with the cash in a stolen car on false plates.

Most of those responsible were based in Leicestershire, with key contact in Scotland to enable a number of attacks across the border.

They were coordinated by a core group of three – Patrick Gilheaney, John Smith and Tali Smith – who then used partners, relatives and other associates in an ‘on-call’ capacity to ensure the criminal operation ran smoothly.

A breakthrough came in January 2022, when Gilheaney and John Smith travelled from Peterborough to Scotland in a Fiat motorhome and returned to the Midlands a few days later.

Also making the same journey was a blue Saab and a stolen grey Audi RS4, both on false registration plates.

During that time, there were four ATM attacks across the central belt of Scotland and latter searches of suspect vehicles linked through ANPR (Automated Number Plate Reader) footage and CCTV – including the Audi, stolen from Merseyside a few months earlier, which was found burnt out in Huntingdon – recovered Scottish bank notes, drills and saws and receipts for items such as face masks, gloves and dark clothing.

In November 2022, hundreds of officers and staff from seven forces contributed to the execution of a number of warrants. Among the significant arrests, items seized included stolen high-powered vehicles and car parts, further high-value vehicles and motorhomes, more than £30,000 in cash and two imitation firearms.

Attempts by the gang to throw officers off the scent, by communicating only with ‘burner’ phones while travelling between attacks, were in vain.

Meticulous investigation and forensic examination of seized items brought each person into the frame.

Pertinently, Gilheaney’s DNA was found on a crowbar left in a vehicle used in an attack in Loughborough on March 15, 2021, and Tali Smith’s DNA was found on the key to a stolen transit van, used in an attack in Attenborough, Nottinghamshire, in September 2021.

In jailing the men, Judge Brown said: “These are serious and organised crimes, and I have a duty to impose substantial sentences.”

He imposed the following sentences:

- Patrick Gilheaney, 34, and formerly of Griggs Road in Loughborough was jailed for seven years and six months for conspiracy to commit a non-dwelling burglary with intent to steal and conspiracy to steal from another.

- John Smith, 32 and formerly of Evergreen Close in Spalding, Lincolnshire: seven years and six months imprisonment for conspiracy to commit a non-dwelling burglary with intent to steal and conspiracy to steal from another.

- Tali Smith, 34 and formerly of Barlestone Road in Bagworth, Leicestershire: six years and eight months imprisonment for conspiracy to commit a non-dwelling burglary with intent to steal and conspiracy to steal from another.

- Alfie Boswell, 32 and formerly of Barlestone Road in Bagworth, Leicestershire: five years imprisonment for conspiracy to steal and assisting an offender.

- William Boswell, 24 and formerly of Barlestone Road in Bagworth, Leicestershire: three years imprisonment for conspiracy to steal.

- Sarah Haynes, 35 and formerly of Barlestone Road in Bagworth, Leicestershire: 12 months sentence, suspended for 24 months, for assisting an offender.

- Victoria Smith, 35 and formerly of Evergreen Close in Spalding, Lincolnshire: 12 months sentence, suspended for 24 months, for assisting an offender

- Rosie McAllister, 28 and formerly of Barlestone Road in Bagworth, Leicestershire: 12 months sentence, suspended for 24 months, for assisting an offender.

- Francis Gilheaney (aka Kathleen Connors), 33 and formerly of Griggs Road in Loughborough: 12 months sentence, suspended for 24 months, for assisting an offender.

Gordon McPhee, aged 37 and formerly of Peters Lane in Pumpherston, Edinburgh, was found guilty of conspiracy to commit a non-dwelling burglary with intent to steal and conspiracy to steal from another after a trial in February. He was sentenced to six years.