Watch the shocking moment thieves use homemade explosives to blow up an ATM

Kristopher Follos and his "dodgy mates" targeted cash machines in Northumberland, Cambridgeshire and Northamptonshire with IEDs that were attached and then detonated in a bid to get access to cash drawers.

Newcastle Crown Court heard the attacks were unsuccessful but caused thousands of pounds worth of damage.

When police raided Follos' home, that he shared with his 76-year-old mother in a block of 16 flats where predominantly elderly residents lived, they found three more viable IEDs and the equipment required to make them as well as gloves and safety glasses.

Neighbours had to be evacuated and army specialists were drafted in to make the devices safe before they could return to their homes.

Judge Robert Adams jailed Follos, who has previous convictions including one for armed robbery, for eight years with a three year extended licence period and said he poses a significant risk of harm to the public.

The judge said lengthy detonation cords were used on the devices and a "fairly extensive" explosion was expected.Judge Adams added: "You had no control over the outcome and no control over who could have approached the ATM in that period."

The court heard flash powder, possibly from fireworks, was used in the explosive devices which the judge said was capable of causing a "significant explosion" and could have caused injury to anyone walking past.

Judge Adams told Follos: "You were making the devices, using the devices to try and steal and putting people at enormous risk.”

The judge said people living in the flats where Follos lived were also put at enormous risk.Prosecutor Jolyon Perks said the cash machine at Hedgeley Services in Powburn, Northumberland, which contained £14,860, came under attack on May 12 last year.

CCTV showed two people approach the machine in an Audi motor during darkness, appear to tamper with the machine and leave.

Read Newcastle’s news and sport headlines on the go when you sign up for our free emails

Mr Perks said they returned about an hour later and added: "This time only the drover got out of the vehicle and could be seen holding a rectangular package with a detonation cord.

"It was pushed into the cash dispenser and a cigarette lighter was used to light it. Shelter was then taken by the person before the device exploded. That was seen on CCTV.

"After it exploded a person got out of the front passenger seat, grabbed a holdall from the rear seat and both ran towards the ATM.

"The explosion had failed to allow access to the cash drawers and they left empty handed."

The court heard £4,850 damage was caused to the machine.

Mr Perks said the number plates on the Audi were false but investigations led detectives to Follos, who confessed during questioning he was involved in the plot and had also targeted an Asda ATM in Northamptonshire in July and a Morrisons ATM in Cambridgeshire in August.

None of the attempts were successful.

Follos, 45, of Olivers Mill, Morpeth, Northumberland, admitted conspiracy to cause explosions of a nature likely to endanger life or cause serious injury, conspiracy to steal and making explosive substances with intent.

The court heard dad-of-two Follos had worked in Spain but returned to the UK due to Brexit, Covid and his mother's poor health.

He confessed he had got in touch with "dodgy mates" to commit the offences to make money for his family.

Shaun Routledge, defending, said Follos co-operated with the police to "make a clean breast of things".