Two 'dangerous, reckless men' who jetted off on luxury holidays using money they'd stolen by blowing up cash machines - including one in Stoke-on-Trent - have been jailed.

Ben Thompson, 36, and Wesley Shepherd, 40, entered shops and threatened staff before placing an explosive device into the cash machines.

After attacking four stores in the north west of England between April and July last year, they made off in stolen cars.

Dramatic CCTV footage released after they were jailed shows the damage caused by the explosions.

In one terrifying clip, one of the balaclava-clad men can be seen grabbing hold of a female worker outside a store and bundling her inside while he's tooled up.

Ben Thompson, 36, and Wesley Shepherd, 40, have been jailed for nearly 40 years (SWNS).

In another clip, the men can be seen smashing into a cash machine using a hammer.

The duo stole almost £160,000 in total and caused tens of thousands of pounds worth of damage to the businesses, police have said.

They used their ill-gotten gains to jet off to Malaga, Egypt and Mexico from Manchester Airport. 

But armed police swooped on Tuesday, September 19, when they were seen in a car together in Sale. 

Shepherd and Thompson ditched the car and ran to evade police, but discarded a rucksack during the chase.

Police found high visibility vests, gloves, a screwdriver, tape, and a smoke flare in the backpack.

Thompson was arrested on the forecourt of a supermarket a short time later, while police arrested Shepherd at his mum's house in Northenden.

The duo stole almost £160,000 in total and caused tens of thousands of pounds worth of damage (SWNS).

On Monday, Thompson, of Wythenshawe, was jailed for 20 years while Shepherd, of Sale, was sentenced to 18 years and eight months. 

They both pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit robbery and cause explosion likely to endanger property and life at an earlier hearing.

Speaking after sentencing, Detective Sergeant Rich McCorry said: "These men had no regard for the safety of the public in their endeavour to make some fast cash. 

"This type of behaviour is intolerable and the lasting impact that such an unprovoked attack can have on a victim is huge.

"Following a diligent investigation with specialist colleagues from across Greater Manchester and Staffordshire Police, we were able to link the crimes and now two dangerous, reckless men are behind bars for a long time."

-----------

READ MORE: Stoke councillor who walked out of meeting presents motion on relevance of motions

Free from clickbait, pop-up ads and unwanted surveys, Stoke Nub News is a quality online newspaper for our city.

Subscribe to our FREE weekly newsletter email HERE - just click the 'SIGN UP' button.

Please consider following Stoke Nub News on Facebook or Twitter.