ALMOST a dozen men – including members of the same family – have appeared in court as part of a police probe into alleged “attacks” on cash machines in five Cumbrian towns.
The men, who have addresses across the north and west of the county and further afield, each face one charge. This alleges conspiracy to commit burglary with intent to steal between September 1 of 2017 and September 30 last year.
The charge faced jointly by the men arises out of a Cumbria police investigation into alleged “attacks” on ATMs in Brampton, Cockermouth, Maryport, Silloth and Whitehaven.
At Carlisle Crown Court, 10 men pleaded not guilty to the conspiracy charge when they appeared in the dock in front of Judge James Adkin.
They are: John James Thompson, aged 26, of Harriston, Aspatria; Dillon Broderick, 22, of Main Street, Ellenborough; Stefan Hargreaves, 29, of Buttsfield Lane, Consett; Ashley George Macauley, 25, of Westnewton Road, Aspatria; Scott David Martin Walpole, 28, of Central Road, Dearham, Maryport; Zane Tinkler, 27, of Brunswick Square, Penrith; Tyler Joseph Wilson, 22, formerly of Grasmere Terrace, Maryport; Maurice Smith, 56, of Craika Road, Dearham, Maryport; and two sons Martin Andrew Smith, 37, of Lonsdale Terrace, Dearham, Maryport; and Wayne Anthony Smith, 33, also of Craika Road, Dearham, Maryport.
The defendants entered not guilty pleas during appearances in the dock before Judge Adkin in three separate groups.
All of the defendants are now due to go on trial at the crown court. It is estimated this trial, due to begin on March 5, would last between four and six weeks. A “pre-trial review” hearing is to take place on February 25.
In the meantime, Tyler Wilson and Maurice Smith were remanded in custody, while the remaining eight men were granted bail by Judge Adkin.
