News / Crime
Jail for ‘crude & unsophisticated’ ATM attack
Two would-be thieves from Bristol managed to do £25,000 of damage in unsuccessful bids to pry their way into cash machines with a sharpened metal pole.
Using what police described as a “crude and unsophisticated” method, James Randall, 24, of Barton Hill and Charlie Humphries, 24, of Horfield, tried their best to steal tens of thousands of pounds from nine ATMs in August last year.
But they were left empty handed and ended up with 16-month jail terms each.
The hapless pair launched their first attack in Newcastle-under-Lyme on August 4 last year.
Undeterred by their failure, they moved onto ATMs in Temple Cloud, Stoke Gifford and Hotwells 16 days later.
Despite walking away empty handed again, they tried their luck on the cash machines of Clevedon, Weston-super-Mare and Fishponds 10 days later.
Police estimated the pair did about £25,000 of damage during their mini crime spree.
Detective Constable Anna Toogood said: “Randall and Humphries used a very crude and unsophisticated method in their attempt to steal tens of thousands of pounds from ATM machines.
“These attacks were ultimately unsuccessful and while they did not make off with any money, they did cause extensive damage to the machines.”
They were sentenced at Bristol Crown Court on Monday.
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