TWO people have admitted attempting to blow up 14 cash machines across Hampshire, Surrey and Dorset over a five month period.

Cameron Chivers, of Lydgate Road, Southampton and Jesse Matthews, of Spiders Island, Alderbury, pleaded guilty to the charges which relate to a string of incidents across Hampshire, Surrey and Dorset between August 2019 and January 2020. Chivers also admitted conspiracy to burgle.

They are co-accused with a man from Hartley Wintney - David Patrick Hughes, of Penny Hill Caravan Site - who has yet to enter pleas to the charges.

In addition, another of the group of five pleaded not guilty at Winchester Crown Court today - Adam Jones, whose listed address is Winchester Prison, denied conspiracy to cause explosions likely to endanger life and conspiracy to steal, but admitted refusing to hand over the PIN to an iPhone.

And Colin Golding, of Reading Road, Farnborough, did not enter pleas to the charges today.

The quintet are accused of attempting to blow up the ATMs, across Southampton, Waterlooville, East Hampshire, Farnham, Fareham, Brockenhurst, Eastleigh and Bournemouth, including eleven in a five-week period.

They're also accused of stealing three cars on separate occasions - a BMW X5 in Southampton, an Audi A5 in Hedge End and an Audi V8 Quattro in Farnborough.

Mr Hughes and Mr Golding will appear at Winchester Crown Court on September 1 to enter their pleas, whilst a trial date for Mr Jones is set to be decided. He has been remanded into custody in the mean time.

Who is accused of what?

  • David Patrick Hughes, of Hartley Wintney, is accused of conspiracy to cause explosions likely to endanger life, conspiracy to steal and conspiracy to burgle. He has not entered pleas.
  • Jesse Matthews, of Alderbury, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to cause explosions likely to endanger life and conspiracy to steal. He has been remanded into custody, and his case has been adjourned for sentencing, following the conclusion of the connected trial.
  • Cameron Chivers, of Southampton, has pleaded guilty to conspiracy to cause explosions likely to endanger life, conspiracy to steal and conspiracy to burgle. He has been remanded into custody.
  • Colin Golding, of Farnborough, is accused of conspiracy to cause explosions likely to endanger life, conspiracy to steal and conspiracy to burgle. He has not entered pleas.
  • Adam Jones, of Winchester Prison, has pleaded not guilty to conspiracy to cause explosions likely to endanger life and conspiracy to steal. He will enter a plea to a charge of conspiracy to burgle on September 1, and has pleaded guilty to not revealing the PIN of an iPhone, against the Regulation of Investigatory Powers Act.

The crew are charged with incidents at 14 ATMs:

  • Stop ā€˜nā€™ Shop, Sholing, Southampton on August 14, 2019
  • Tesco in Lavender Road, Waterlooville on August 14, 2019
  • Cashzone, Headley, East Hants on August 22, 2019
  • Santander, Petersfield, East Hants, on August 25, 2019
  • Costcutter Store, Farnham, Surrey, on August 25, 2019
  • HSBC, Park Gate, Fareham on August 27, 2019
  • Coop, Godalming, Surrey on August 31, 2019
  • Premier Convenience Store, Brockenhurst, on September 3, 2019
  • Post Office, West End, Eastleigh, on September 3, 2019
  • Co-op Store, Stubbington, Fareham, on September 9, 2019
  • Tesco Express, Bishopstoke, Eastleigh , on September 11, 2019
  • Co-op, Spring Road, Sholing, Southampton on January 20, 2020
  • Santander, Burgess Road, Southampton, on January 20, 2020
  • McColls in High Howe in Bournemouth on January 27, 2020

Additionally, they're charged with conspiracy to steal in relation to three burglaries:

  • On November 25, 2019, at Wilton Gardens, Southampton, where a number of items were said to have been stolen including a BMW X5.
  • On August 26, 2019, at Birch Road, Hedge End, where an Audi A5 was allegedly stolen.
  • Overnight between July 6 and 7, 2019, at Comfrey Close, Farnborough, where an Audi V8 Quattro was allegedly stolen but later recovered.