Notorious ATM Burglar Shaun Blackburn Locked Up for Nearly Seven Years
Shaun Blackburn, a 37-year-old drifter with no fixed address, has been slammed with a hefty prison sentence at Liverpool Crown Court. The Merseyside man was handed three years and six months for conspiracy to commit burglary, plus another three years and three months for multiple drug offences. That’s a brutal total of six years and nine months behind bars.
Fifth Gang Member Finally Caught
Blackburn is the fifth crook busted in connection with a string of daring ATM raids. Earlier this year, four other gang members—Mark Edwards, 47, Sean Devereux, 30, Peter O’Neill, 41, and Liam Doherty, 39—were jailed for a combined 16 years after pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary.
The gang’s crime spree kicked off in the early hours of 3 October 2019. They broke into the Nisa Local store on Glover Road, Warrington via the roof. Using an angle grinder, they forced open the store’s ATM and ripped off almost £50,000.
Three Raids, Over £69,000 Stolen
- Warrington heist nearly £50,000
- Wakefield raid netted £5,000+ from ATM
- Telford smash-and-grab stole £14,000 worth of cigarettes
Following meticulous detective work led by Detective Constable Ian Morris of the Warrington Beat Initiative Team, the gang was linked to similar ATM raids in Wakefield and Telford in November 2019. In each attack, they forced entry via the roof and used grinders on cash machines – sometimes walking away empty-handed but grabbing valuable goods instead.
Police Sting and Blackburn’s Flight
Cheshire Constabulary swooped with raids across Merseyside on 11 December, nabbing Edwards, Devereux, O’Neill, and Doherty. These searches uncovered stolen cash, angle grinders, luxury watches, and high-end clothes.
Blackburn, however, slipped through the net, going on the run and landing on the police wanted list. But his fugitive days ended on 12 June when he was spotted and arrested in Merseyside.
Detectives Praise Persistence, Warn Crooks
“Blackburn played a key part in this criminal enterprise, planning and coordinating attacks to steal significant sums,” said DC Ian Morris. “They targeted businesses vital to local communities, causing thousands in damage and distress.”
Detective Sergeant Ian Bingley added: “Blackburn might have thought he escaped justice, but no matter where you run or hide, we will find you. This case shows our commitment to clamping down on serious organised crime.”
