An organised crime gang from Manchester have been jailed for more than 21 years following a series of high value burglaries in Cheshire.
The four men and one woman all previously pleaded guilty to their roles in a conspiracy to commit burglaries at 12 homes in Cheshire.
They all appeared at Chester Crown Court on Thursday 14 September, where they received the following sentences:
- Ryan Beevers, 34, of Shadowmoss Road, Manchester – 7 years and 8 months in prison - Conspiracy to Commit Burglary, Conspiracy to Convert / Conceal Criminal Property.
- Lyndsey Entwistle, 48, of Shadowmoss Road, Manchester – 2 years and 3 months in prison - Participating in the activities of an Organised Crime Group, Conspiracy to Convert / Conceal Criminal Property, Possession of Criminal Property.
- William Bate, 44, of Pendeen Close, Manchester – 3 years and 9 months in prison - Conspiracy to Commit Burglary.
- Jonathan Bruton, 33 of Castleview House, Runcorn – 2 years and 6 months in prison - Conspiracy to Convert / Conceal criminal property.
- Caine McConville, 25, of HMP Altcourse – 6 years in prison - Conspiracy to Commit Burglary, Conspiracy to Convert / Conceal Criminal Property, Dangerous Driving, Handling Stolen Goods, Disqualified Driving.
During the hearing the court heard how between February and June 2022, the gang carried out 12 burglaries in homes across Cheshire.
The group predominantly targeted affluent areas close to the border with Greater Manchester, these included six addresses in Prestbury, along with homes in Goostrey, Wilmslow, Alderley Edge, Over Peover and Thelwall. Most of the houses they targeted were unoccupied, the owners being away on holiday.
The gang stole a variety of items including watches, cash, jewellery, and handbags, although their main target was cars. After stealing the vehicles, they would use false number plates to drive them down to Birmingham where they would sell them on through criminal associates.
Their downfall began at the start of June 2022 when officers discovered blood at one of the addresses targeted by the gang, forensic analysis showed the blood was a match to Beevers.
A warrant was executed at Beevers home on Shadowmoss Road, Manchester, on Friday 17 June, leading to the arrest of him and his partner Entwistle.
During the warrant officers recovered a number of high value items which were subsequently identified as belonging to some of the victims from the 12 burglaries. Officers also seized a number of mobile phones.
Evidence retrieved from phones, combined with telephone analysis and other enquiries, also linked Bate, Bruton, and McConville to the burglaries.
Following the discovery, officers conducted further warrants on Thursday 28 July 2022 leading to the arrests of Bate and Bruton.
However, McConville was not present when officers conducted the raids. Despite his attempts to evade officers, he was later arrested on Friday 28 October 2022.
All five defendants were subsequently charged in relation to the burglaries.
Following their sentencing, Detective Constable Rebecca Smith who led the investigation said: "Beevers, Entwistle, Bate, Bruton and McConville were all members of an organised crime group, their crimes were carefully planned, specifically targeting homes in affluent areas with the aim of stealing high value items and cars which they could sell on to other criminal networks.
"The impact of their crime spree should not be underestimated. To know that somebody has targeted your home – a place you should feel safe in, is sickening. The thought of your home being broken into, your property being rifled through and personal possessions being stolen can be traumatic.
"Thankfully, in this case, as a result to the diligence of the team here at Macclesfield CID, we were able to piece together all of the evidence linking the gang to at least 12 burglaries, leaving them with no option but to admit their guilt.
"As a result, all the offenders are now facing the consequences of their actions. I hope that this outcome provides some comfort and reassurance to the victims following their ordeal."
Detective Sergeant Angela Coppock, of Macclesfield CID, added "I welcome the sentences that have been handed out today and I hope that they provide reassurance to the victims and the wider community.
"The financial impact of burglary can be significant, but it's the emotional effect of being burgled which often lasts much longer and should never be underestimated.
"Here in Cheshire we have one of the highest charge rates for burglary in England and Wales and our officers are committed to doing all they can to identify offenders and stop them in their tracks.
"I hope this conviction goes as a warning to criminals who are looking to come to Cheshire, that in policing there are no borders, we work together to get criminals off our streets and behind bars where they belong."
