A GANG of four men who targeted ATM machines with explosive gas and angle grinders have been jailed for a combined 42 years.

Andrew Bransome, 40, of Wallington, Malcolm Jervis, 53, of Romford, Louis Golding, 45, of Woodford Green, and Martyn Williamson, 44, or Coulsdon appeared before Blackfriars Crown Court charged with conspiracy to burgle and conspiracy to cause explosions likely to endanger life or cause serious injury to property.

The men undertook a series of ATM attacks situated in railway station premises in London, Surrey, Sussex and Essex, including at Witham station on December 20, 2015.

Over a two year period the group targeted the cash points with angle grinders, pumped gas into ATM machines via the cash dispensing slot and ignited it using petrol.

These attacks resulted in the theft of cash in excess of £150,000 and the cost of the damage caused was an additional £50,000.

The British Transport Police named the investigation Operation Transit and arrested the men on May 6, whilst they were fleeing a botched job.

Bransome and Golding pleaded guilty to both counts; Jervis pleaded guilty to conspiracy to burgle and was subsequently convicted of conspiracy to cause explosions by a jury.

Williamson pleaded guilty to both counts on day one of the trail on October 31 last year.

Investigating officer DC Gary Beckwith said: “In short this was serious organised criminality committed by professional career criminals over a lengthy period which put the public at serious risk of death or injury which is reflected by the sentences handed down by the judge.”

Andrew Bransome received 12 years’ imprisonment.

Malcolm Jervis received 16 years’ imprisonment.

Louis Golding received 10 years and 8 months’ imprisonment.

Martyn Williamson received 4 years’ imprisonment.