A group of seven are accused being involved in a plot to ram or blow up more than two dozen ATMs across the Home Counties.

Prosecutors claim the six men and one boy were variously part of conspiracies to cause explosions, steal plant machinery, or commit commercial burglaries in 2019 and 2020.

The ram-raid gang is said to have targeted 26 ATM cash machines across the south of England.

Three of the men are also accused of stealing trophies from the National Horseracing Museum, Newmarket, in a heist last May.

At the time, the museum put up a £50,000 reward for information. According to reports, among the items taken were the Ascot Gold Vase, two Lincoln Races trophies and three Doncaster Cups.

They will stand trial at Oxford Crown Court next spring.

Accused

David Riley, 25, of Linkfield Lane, Redbridge, pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to cause an explosion between June 1, 2019 and August 7, 2019, conspiracy to commit commercial burglary, burgling Co-ops in Chinnor, Botley, and Newbury, burglary at the National Horseracing Museum, Newmarket, theft of a Toyota Landcruiser in May 2020, and conspiracy to steal plant machinery.

Frenny Green, 32, of no fixed address, denied conspiracy to cause an explosion between June 1, 2019 and August 7, 2019, and conspiracy to commit commercial burglary.

Shane Harris, 31, of Hughes Close, Charlbury, pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to burgle premises fitted with ATM machines between December 2019 and May 2020, and using a stolen Audi car in January 2020.

Jimmy Loveridge, 29, of Chertsey Road, Chobham, denied conspiracy to burgle premises fitted with ATM machines, burgling the National Horseracing Museum, attempting to steal a Mitsubishi in May 2020, using a stolen BMW in the same month and conspiring to steal plant machinery.

Paul Smith, 29, of Hearmon Close, Yateley, pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to burgle premises fitted with ATMs, burgling the National Horseracing Museum and attempting to steal a Mitsubishi in May 2020. He admitted conspiracy to steal plant machinery.

A 16-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons, pleaded not guilty to conspiring to steal plant machinery between May 1 and June 9 last year.

James Sheen, 37, of Warren Crescent, Headington, did not enter any pleas. He was remanded in custody ahead of a plea hearing in early October.

A dozen barristers packed into courtroom one for the mention hearing before Judge Michael Gledhill QC on Friday afternoon. Five of the defendants were in the court in person, while two appeared via video link.

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