Skip to content
Search
AI Powered
Latest Stories

Two men sent to jail for explosion robberies at cash machines  

Two men sent to jail for explosion robberies at cash machines  
Scene of cash machine attack at Co-op Food store in Cullingworth, Bradford (Photo: West Yorkshire Police)

Two men have been jailed for causing explosions and stealing from cash machines in northern England.

Stuart Penney and James Fairburn, both aged 37, were given sentences of 14 years and 12 and a half years respectively by the Leeds Crown Court this week after they pleaded guilty to charges.


They were involved in seven attacks on cash machines in Darlington, Bradford, Keighley and Huddersfield, as well as two burglaries, where the vehicles stolen were used in the crimes.

stuartpenney Stuart Penney

jamesfairburn James Fairburn

“These men used dangerous methods to cause explosions in cash machines at petrol stations and convenience stores, not caring whether anyone was injured or seriously hurt in their series of reckless attacks,” Detective Chief Inspector Andy Howard, of YH ROCU, said.

The attacks between October 2017 and February 2018 saw gases pumped into the machines to cause an explosion, leading to thousands of pounds of damage to buildings and businesses housing the machines, in addition to more than £300,000 stolen from the machines.

“The explosive force produced was devastating and severely damaged the buildings housing these machines – a number of which were situated in residential areas, causing a significant impact on business owners and the community,” Howard said.

keighleyatm Scene of cash machine attack at Co-op Food store in Keighley (Photo: West Yorkshire Police)

Penney, of Celandine Close in Darlington, and Fairburn, of Low Moor in Bradford, were arrested in February 2018 following a regional investigation by the Yorkshire and Humber Regional Organised Crime Unit (YH ROCU). Thousands of pounds in cash and mobile phones were found during searches of their addresses, as well as evidence that both were living well beyond their means.

More for you

Bira CEO Andrew Goodacre
Bira CEO Andrew Goodacre

'Devastating and out of touch' – indies react to Budget bombshell

Following the initial response condemning the Budget as 'the most damaging for independent retailers in recent memory' from the British Independent Retailers Association (Bira), members have shared their stark reactions to the triple burden of doubled business rates, increased National Insurance, and higher minimum wage costs.

Multiple retailers have calculated specific impacts on their businesses, with costs ranging from £90,000 to £150,000 per year.

"This budget was horrendous for us as a company. Estimated costs to be around £110,000 - £120,000 per year," said Andrew Massey of Masseys DIY in Swadlincote, Derbyshire.

Keep ReadingShow less
Brocks at Rockwell Green store

Brocks at Rockwell Green store

Christie & Co

'Popular' Somerset store on the market as long-term owners retire


Brocks at Rockwell Green, a Premier-branded convenience store near Wellington, Somerset is on the market as owners Simon and Rachel Brock are now looking to retire - after running the store for nearly 25 years.

Keep ReadingShow less
Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney

Ryan Reynolds and Rob McElhenney

Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds announced as new co-owners of Wrexham Lager

Wrexham Lager Beer Co Ltd, the oldest lager brewery still existing in Britain that has been brewing in Wales since 1882, has announced Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds as new co-owners of the company alongside the Roberts family.

The acquisition was made by Red Dragon Ventures, a joint venture formed by The R.R. McReynolds Company, majority owner of Wrexham AFC, and the Allyn family of Skaneateles, New York. Red Dragon Ventures was created to drive growth in the Wrexham community and Wrexham AFC.

Keep ReadingShow less
Solar and wind power
iStock

Leading beverage brands join forces to accelerate renewable energy adoption

Ten global beverage companies have joined forces under a new industry-wide consortium, called REfresh Alliance, which is designed to help accelerate renewable energy adoption across the industry’s supply chain.

The new initiative invites additional companies from across the beverage industry to pool and scale their resources to remove barriers to renewable energy adoption in the supply chain, provide education on best market practices and support the industry’s transition to Net Zero.

Keep ReadingShow less
disposable vapes

Single-use disposable vapes are displayed for sale on October 27, 2024 in London, England

Alishia Abodunde/Getty Images

Vape industry concerned over chancellor’s vaping duty proposal

Vape industry bodies have raised concerns over chancellor Rachel Reeves’ budget announcement introducing a flat-rate excise duty on vaping products, saying it could hurt public health and increase financial pressures on consumers.

The new excise tax, set to begin on October 1, 2026, will add £2.20 per 10ml of vaping liquid, with additional VAT. This rate replaces the previous government’s proposed tiered tax structure, which many in the industry had criticised.

Keep ReadingShow less