Two men have given their pleas at Winchester Crown Court today after being accused of attempting to blow up 14 cash machines.

Colin Golding, of Reading Road, Farnborough, pleaded guilty to the charges of conspiracy to cause explosions likely to endanger life and conspiracy to steal, but pleaded not guilty to the charge of conspiracy to burgle.

A co-defendant, Adam Jones, whose listed address is Winchester Prison, pleaded guilty to the charge of conspiracy to burgle. He had previously pleaded guilty to the charge of not revealing the PIN of an iPhone, and not guilty to the charges of conspiracy to cause explosions likely to endanger life and conspiracy to steal, in July.

Further co-defendants Cameron Chivers, of Lydgate Road, Southampton, and Jesse Matthews, of Spiders Island, Alderbury, also pleaded guilty in July to the charges of conspiracy to cause explosions likely to endanger life and conspiracy to steal, with the former also pleading guilty to conspiracy to burgle.

The final co-defendant, David Patrick Hughes of Penny Hill Caravan Site, Hartley Wintney, was not present in court, and did not enter pleas.

The five are accused of attempting to blow up ATMs across Southampton, Waterlooville, East Hampshire, Farnham, Fareham, Brockenhurst, Eastleigh and Bournemouth. They are also accused of stealing three cars on separate occasions.

Prosecutor Mark Rufnell told the court that new evidence had come to light as a result of police investigation, and that as a result, the Crown Prosecution Service would be seeking to add a fifth charge, conspiracy to steal, unrelated to the ATMs, for Mr Chivers, Mr Hughes and Mr Jones. Pleas for this charge, if laid against the defendants, will be entered at a later date.

He was also given leave by the judge, Recorder A. Feast, to apply to extend the period of crimes being considered from July 1 2019 back to April 1 of that year.

Mr Chivers, Mr Hughes, Mr Jones and Mr Golding will appear at Winchester Crown Court on November 2, where any remaining pleas will be entered.