A masked gang who carried out a six-month campaign of night-time raids on small shops across Shropshire, stealing more than £60,000 worth of cigarettes, have been jailed.

The three men, all from Bilston in Wolverhampton, targeted businesses in Telford and Shrewsbury and used the cover of darkness to smash their way in before making off with several hauls of cash and cigarettes.

Archie Ginty, 19, Craig Smith, 20, and David Potts, 30, appeared at Shrewsbury Crown Court yesterday after admitting to conspiracy to commit burglary between October last year and March this year.

Police have said the true value of the cost of the raids has been estimated at close to £100,000 across a number of attacked locations.

Ginty was sentenced to two-and-a-half years’ training and detention in a young offenders institution (YOI), while Smith was given two years and three months in a YOI. Potts was jailed for four years and eight months.

Mr Phillip Beardwell, prosecuting, said: “On each occasion the shutters were forced up, glass doors smashed and the property entered. Two defendants carried out the raids while a third remained outside on motorbike.”

He said the men used wheelie bins, laundry baskets and bin bags to take the goods and used a motorbike as a getaway vehicle.

Mr Timothy Jacques, for Ginty, said he carried out the offences to fund alcohol and cocaine use.

Miss Paula Bignall, for Smith, told the court he was remorseful.

Mr Nayan Patel, for Potts, said he denied being the ringleader in the burglaries despite being the oldest.

Judge Robin Onions said aggravating factors were that they were well planned and happened at night.

“You targeted premises that provide a valuable service to the community,” he said. “You must be punished to act as a warning,” he added, and refused to accept Potts was not the ringleader.

Outside court, Detective Inspector Pete Brophy, from Telford police, welcomed the sentences and said some shops were targeted more than once.

By James Pugh