A GANG of armed robbers have been jailed for more than 83 years for targeting 22 banks including two in Wirral.

The six men, who were sentenced yesterday at Liverpool Crown Court, stole £1.5m during a six year period where they committed offences across Merseyside and Cheshire.

Using sledgehammers they forced their way into premises, usually while staff were preparing to open for business or were cashing up at the end of the day, or used the element of surprise to drop in through the roof, having removed roof tiles.

The gang targeted a Natwest branch in Neston in November 2013, A victim who was there said in her statement: “After the incident I started having panic attacks and couldn’t sleep. It was so bad that I needed sleeping tablets and beta blockers to deal with the stress.

“I wouldn’t go out at night and only went out if I had to during the day. On a number of occasions I had panic attacks when I saw anyone come near me wearing a hoodie.”

“If there was ever a loud noise I would jump and panic. This continued and led to me having counselling.”

“I wasn’t able to work for 12 months. I worked at the bank all my life and loved it but after this incident I hated my job. I will never fully get over it.”

Wirral Globe:

(L-R) Alan Roberts Lea, Gary Thomas McNeill, Ian John Stewart, John Paul Stewart, Kieran Anthony Whittle and Shaun James McDonald

In June 2013 the Lloyds TSB bank on Woodchurch road, Birkenhead was targeted.

The six men were arrested in a co-ordinated strike at dawn in Liverpool on November 26 last year following a joint investigation by Merseyside Police and Cheshire Constabulary.

Just two days earlier members of the gang had struck at a bank in Hull stealing a large amount of cash.

During searches of homes in Aigburth and Toxteth on November 26th large amounts of cash, some drugs and CS gas were found. A Subaru Impreza was also seized.

Merseyside Police detective inspector Mike Dalton, who led the joint investigation, said: “This gang enjoyed a criminal lifestyle on the back of the misery of many decent, hard-working people who were simply doing their job when these men burst in and changed their lives forever.

“The impact of these robberies on all the people who witnessed them cannot be underestimated. Innocent members of staff who were petrified at the time have remained too traumatised to return to work.

“Victims have needed counselling and medication to help them deal with what happened. A young mum was robbed of the enjoyment that having a young baby brings.”

“Another who had a baby long after the robbery feared the stress she still felt could harm her unborn child. People’s families have suffered too.”

“One victim told us her husband was in shock when he saw her in hospital wearing a neck brace after one of the offenders had manhandled her.”

“This gang was completely ruthless in what they did.”

All six men were charged and five pleaded guilty in January and February of this year.

However Gary McNeill, 35, of Upper Pitt Street, Liverpool, denied any involvement in the robberies until his trial date approached and he changed his plea to guilty.

At the gang’s sentencing hearing at Liverpool Crown Court Judge David Aubrey QC read extracts from the personal statements of many of the victims.

Judge Aubrey also heard the 999 calls that bank staff made to the police while the robberies were in progress.

Detective sergeant Rob Grantham from Cheshire Constabulary, said: “The sentences handed down by the court today reflect the severity of the crimes and the impact on the victims.

“The gang targeted a number of financial institutions across three force areas, forcing entry mainly at opening or closing times and stealing significant quantities of cash.”

“The gang was subsequently linked to four offences in Cheshire via forensic enquiries.”

“This was a complex and lengthy investigation by a dedicated team of officers from Cheshire Police working alongside colleagues in Merseyside Police.”

“Today sees the successful conclusion of that investigation with a number of men being handed lengthy custodial sentences.”

“The impact upon the victims should not be underestimated. It was significant and will be long lasting with many deeply traumatised by what happened.”

“Some have been unable to return to work because this has had such a big impact on their lives. I would like to thank the victims for their co-operation and bravery throughout what has been an extremely difficult time for them.”

The sentencing were:

Ian John Stewart, aged 49, formerly of Stonegate Drive, Toxteth – 13 years

Kieron Anthony Whittle, aged 35, of Little Parkfield Road, Aigburth – 15 years

John Paul Stewart, aged 30, of Waverley Road, Aigburth – 13 years, six months

Alan Robert Lea, aged 38, of Verney Crescent, Toxteth – 16 years Shaun

James McDonald, aged 38, of Charleston Road, Toxteth – 13 years, four months

Gary Thomas McNeill, aged 36, formerly of Upper Pitt Street, Liverpool city centre – 12 years, six months

The timeline for the 23 offences included in the conspiracy charge is as follows:

1. Monday 21/08/2008 TSB Long moor Lane L9

2. Friday 25/09/2009 HSBC 382 Aigburth Road L17

3. Thursday 22/12/2011 Barclays Bank County Road L4

4. Tuesday 06/03/2012 Lloyds TSB, Longmoor Lane, L9

5. Friday 01/06/2012 Nat West, Sefton Road Litherland

6. Friday 01/06/2012 Nat West, London Road Stockton Heath, WA4

7. Thursday 21/06/2012 Lloyds TSB, Woodchurch Road, Birkenhead,

8. Friday 10/08/2012 RBS, St Johns Road, Waterloo L22

9. Thursday 23/08/2013 HSBC Aigburth Road L17

10. Wednesday 02/01/13 Lloyds TSB, Ellamsbridge Road, St. Helens.

11. Wednesday 13/03/13 Post Office, New Strand, Bootle L20

12. Monday 18/03/13 Nat West, Sefton Road, Litherland L21

13. Thursday 28/03/2013 Post Office New Strand Bootle L20

14. Thursday 02/05/13 Hope Farm Post Office, Sutton, Cheshire

15. Friday 07/06/13 RBS, Speke Road, Speke,L25

16. Monday 12/08/2013 Barclays Bank, Liverpool Road, Maghull L31

17. Wednesday 04/09/13 Lloyds TSB, Smithdown Place, Wavertree

18. Thursday 14/11/13 Nat West Bank, The Cross Neston CH64

19. Monday 02/12/13 Halifax Prescot Road Old Swan L13

20. Wednesday 10/12/14 Nat West Bank, The Cross Neston CH64

21. Thursday 08/01/2015 Lloyds TSB, Cambridge Road, Southport

22. Monday 23/03/2015 Lloyds TSB, Ellamsbridge Road, St. Helens.

23. Tuesday 24/11/2015 – Hull, Humberside