Superstore raiders (From Evesham Journal)

Superstore raiders

6:00pm Saturday 2nd June 2012 in Pershore

THREE men have admitted masterminding a plot to burgle supermarkets in Pershore and across Oxfordshire.

Appearing at Oxford Crown Court, William Kelly, Paul Gardner and Darren Whitehouse each admitted a single count of conspiracy to burgle. The trio were part of a gang who targeted Co-op stores in January this year.

The stores included those in Pershore, Bicester, Didcot and Chinnor. Gardner, aged 35, pleaded guilty on the basis he had only been involved in the Bicester incident. Whitehouse, 40, pleaded guilty on the basis he was only involved in the Chinnor plot, while 52-year-old Kelly admitted his role in the Pershore and Bicester incidents.

All the men, from Coventry, were remanded in custody to be sentenced at a later date.