TWO ringleaders of a "ruthless" team of ramraiders - whose targets included Huddersfield's Kingsgate Centre - failed to win cuts in their jail terms.
More than £100,000 in damage was caused and £60,000 stolen in a string of raids on cash machines. Nicholas Barry Conway, 25, of Scholes Street, Bankfoot, Bradford, was jailed for 14 years at Bradford Crown Court in March, after admitting two charges of conspiracy to steal, one of conspiracy to commit burglary, burglary and aggravated vehicle-taking.
David Swindon, 31, of Poolsbrook Road, Chesterfield, was jailed for 13 years, after admitting conspiracy to commit burglary and burglary.
London's Criminal Appeal Court yesterday refused to cut their sentences, rejecting claims they were "manifestly excessive".
The men were in a gang brought to justice after being caught in the ramraid on Kingsgate in December last year. Three vehicles were smashed through the doors and up the mall.
The intruders were trying to load a cash dispenser into a van when police arrived. They jumped into a car, sped away and then hit a police patrol car blocking the exit.
Mr Justice Field, sitting with Lord Justice Gage and Mr Justice Nelson, dismissed a claim by lawyers that insufficient credit was given for their guilty pleas. He noted the ramraids were "ruthlessly and aggressively" executed and not a penny had been recovered.
A victim was sprayed with CS gas and some residents who had been above targeted premises were terrified. He concluded the jail terms were not too long, given the scale and manner of the crimes, and the fact the pair had played leading roles.
