A MEMBER of a ram-raid gang that smashed its way into a store in Ingleton and ripped out an ATM containing £56,000 has been jailed for three years at Bradford Crown Court.

Kenneth Yorke was described as “a willing participant” in the three-vehicle group of 4x4s with black tape covering their registration plates that targeted the Co-op on Main Street at 4am on March 27.

The court heard that one of the men drove a vehicle through the window of the shop and another wielded a sledgehammer to break down the shop’s door.

A crowbar was used to smash the casing of the ATM before a heavy-duty chain was wrapped around it in order that the 4x4 could pull it free and take it away.

Both the shop and the cash machine, which itself was worth £9,000, were badly damaged in the burglary.

The raid was witnessed and reported.

Yorke, 32, of Pine Street, Morecambe, was subsequently identified. In an interview, he answered “no comment” to all questions. He later pleaded guilty to burglary.

The court heard he had a lengthy criminal record dating back to 2007 for offences including burglary and dishonesty.

Mitigating, Emily Hassell said Yorke, who appeared in court wearing a white polo shirt and grey joggers, had been in debt and accepted an offer to become involved in the raid to settle that debt.

Sentencing Yorke to three years imprisonment, Mr Recorder Sam Green KC said the targeted raid on the ATM “involved a significant degree of planning and organisation” and that Yorke was “a willing participant” in the raid as part of the gang.

He said the offence was aggravated by his bad criminal record.