A GANG which targeted more than 30 schools and clubs throughout the North West has been jailed for a total of 19 and a half years.

Bolton Crown Court heard how the four-man gang visited the schools posing as parents who were considering sending their children there. But, in reality, they were planning burglaries and used the visits as opportunities to disable alarm sensors.

The court was told how staff would lock up the premises for the night and the gang would return later to break in. As the sensors did not activate, the thefts were not discovered until the next day.

High value computers, iPads and cash were taken in the burglaries. Most of the offences occurred in Bolton and surrounding areas but the gang also travelled as far as Southport, Wakefield, Accrington and Great Harwood to commit offences at a total of 35 locations.

The value of the property stolen is estimated at more than £73,000.

Sentencing Benjamin Grimes, his cousin Samuel Grimes, Christopher Moore and Mark Rhodes, the Honorary Recorder of Bolton, Judge Timothy Clayson, told them: “Your actions will, in some cases, have had a detrimental effect, at least in the short term, on schools’ ability to provide for their pupils as they would wish.”

The court heard that considerable planning had gone into the crimes, but the men were eventually caught on May 18 after members of the public reported suspicious activity around Hollymount Primary School, Greenmount and Tottington South Primary School.

A member of Hollymount staff saw a man go to the front door and look around before walking away and getting into a black VW Golf. Nothing was stolen but police were contacted and officers were on the lookout for the car at 9.15pm when residents near Tottington South Primary School reported seeing hooded men carrying a heavy object in the grounds.

The Golf, being driven by Benjamin Grimes, was stopped by police as it drove away from the school.

Rhodes was in the passenger seat and the men’s clothing had glass from the school window on it.

Police executing a warrant at Autoworld, Tonge Moor, two days later found equipment stolen in some of the break-ins including laptops and other items from Peel Hall Primary, Little Hulton.

Some of the stolen property was in black bin bags which had Rhodes’ fingerprints on it.

Subsequent cell siting analysis proved the gang members’ mobile phones had been in or near the schools and clubs when the burglaries were committed.

The burglary spree began on March 2 last year when St Andrew’s Primary at Over Hulton and St Anne’s Primary in Atherton were targeted.

An ipad, computer, safe, £2,500 cash and credit cards were taken from the Atherton school and £70 from St Andrew’s.

Other local burglaries committed by the gang included Westhoughton Conservative Club on April 6 where nothing was stolen, 60 computers worth £24,000 taken from Peel Hall Primary, Little Hulton on April 21 and on May 11 St Mary’s Primary School, Radcliffe had £800 cash and £200 in cheques stolen.

Chapelfield Primary and St John’s C of E Primary, Radcliffe, were also visited by the gang on May 11 and 13 and their alarm sensors removed but nothing was stolen.

St Bede’s Primary in Bolton was targeted on March 5 and Blackrod Primary School on March 17.

Neighbouring Blackrod Anglican Methodist School was visited the same day and this time the thieves stole £700 whilst the gang visited Washacre Primary School, Westhoughton, on April 30 and got away with £4,225 cash

On May 6 sensors were damaged at St Stephens Primary and Christ Church Primary in Ainsworth and on May 11 £600 was stolen from Mytham Road Primary in Little Lever.

Benjamin Grimes, aged 26, of Pear Tree Drive, Farnworth, Samuel Grimes, aged 24, of Georgina Court, Bolton, Mark Rhodes, aged 30, of Adrian Street, Moston, and Christopher Moore, aged 29, of Wolsey Street, Heywood, all pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary.

In addition Benjamin Grimes and Rhodes admitted robbing The Three Pigeons pub, Wigan Road, Bolton, on September 6 last year when they burst into the pub as part of a four man gang armed with baseball bats and forced the terrified landlady to hand over £730 from the office safe.

Benjamin Grimes also pleaded guilty to burgling a house in Clarke Street, Halliwell on November 3.

Benjamin Grimes, who was described as “the most prolific and active participant in the conspiracy” was jailed for seven years.

His cousin, Samuel Grimes, was sentenced to two years and eight months, Rhodes was imprisoned for six and a half years and Moore received three years and four months.