Merry Hill ram raider jailed for five years (From Dudley News)

Merry Hill ram raider jailed for five years

9:38am Tuesday 9th February 2010

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A RAM raider whose gang stole jewellery from a Merry Hill store has been jailed for five years.

Wayne Craddock was with three other masked men who used a stolen car to smash their way into the Argos store at the shopping centre.

Yesterday (Monday February 8), Wolverhampton Crown Court was told the 30-year-old carried out the raid while he was on licence from a ten-year prison sentence imposed for three robberies.

Craddock of Barnes Hill, Weoley Castle, admitted aggravated vehicle taking and burglary and was told by Judge Michael Dudley: "This was a well planned ram raid.

"It was a professional crime carried out by masked men. Bins were taken into the store and a great deal of damage was caused."

When questioned by police officers after his arrest, Craddock told them he had found it difficult since coming out of prison and he wanted to get Christmas presents for family and friends.

Mark Phillips, prosecuting, said Craddock was behind the wheel of a stolen Ford Focus which was driven into shutters at the store causing over £12,000 worth of damage.

Mr Phillips added the gang then stole a large quantity of jewellery but security guards at the centre were quickly alerted and caught them in the act.

Craddock tried to make his escape in the stolen car with one of the guards having to jump out of the way to avoid being hit by the vehicle.

He was arrested as police officers arrived on the scene although the other members of the gang were able to make a getaway.

Wendy Miller, defending Craddock, who was jailed at Worcester Crown Court in 2002 for the robberies, accepted a great deal of planning had gone into the offence.

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