Two men from east London have been jailed after causing more than £100,000 damage while attempting to blow up two ATM machines in Essex.

Jamie Masters and Wayne Lewis attempted to access cash at ATMs outside banks in the Newlands Centre, in Witham, and outside Tesco, in Mandeville Way, in Laindon.

In total, the pair’s actions resulted in more than £100,000 damage and on both occasions, they were unsuccessful and left both scenes with nothing.

Masters and Lewis’ first attempt, at the Witham ATM, took place in the early hours of March 22 2022.

The pair were caught on CCTV placing a gas canister at the ATM before they then ignited the gas using a makeshift explosive, causing an explosion which caused significant damage to the premises.

It did not, however, access any cash.

On April 11, 2022, two men were then caught on CCTV outside Tesco, in Laindon, as they again placed a gas canister near to the ATM.

On this occasion, the makeshift explosive they attempted to use did not ignite the gas and instead caused a firework-like explosion which, again, did not access any cash.

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Through further investigation and CCTV analysis by police, they were able to identify the men as Masters and Lewis and both were arrested during early morning warrants on Friday, April 29, 2022.

They were charged with conspiracy to burgle and conspiracy to cause an explosion with intent to endanger life or property and both men admitted the charges.

On March 21, they appeared at Southend Crown Court to be sentenced.

Masters, 34, of Sackville Crescent, Harold Wood, was sentenced to a total of six years and eight months in jail while Lewis, 42, of Upper Road, Woodford Green, was sentenced to a total of six years in jail.

Det Insp Frazer Low, of Essex Police's serious and organised crime unit, said: “More than anything else, the actions of Lewis and Masters were incredibly dangerous, to themselves, to anyone who was nearby and to the property they were targeting.

“Neither had the knowledge or skills to control explosions and they put the safety of the public – and themselves – at significant risk.

“Despite their actions, they left each scene without a penny, so their actions really were in vain.

“Thankfully, our team was able to act quickly to identify them, arrest them and build a case so overwhelming that they had very little option but to admit their guilt.”