'Go on, ring the police... see what's going to happen'
23.03.2023 - 10:03
/ manchestereveningnews.co.uk
A cocky thief told a shop worker 'go on, ring the police... see what's going to happen' as he and his partner in crime brazenly stole cash and cigarettes during a crime spree.
Adam Donoghue, 33, and Peter Neary, 39, committed burglaries at shops across the north west in 2021. They've now been jailed.
A Cheshire Constabulary investigation was launched following a store raid in Chester in November 2021. It later became clear Donoghue and Neary were responsible for 14 raids across Cheshire and Wirral.
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During most incidents, cops said, they used a 'distraction technique'. Donoghue would approach a staff member and asked to speak to the manager.
He would then complain that a family member had been sold a vape or alcohol when they were underage. Neary would then enter to stockrooms and back offices looking for cash.
Later in their spree, the pair threatened to follow staff members home. One occasion, Neary told staff: "Go on ring, the police... see what's going to happen."
It is estimated the pair took thousands of pounds-worth of cigarettes and cash. Both pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit commercial burglary. They were jailed at Chester Crown Court this week following the incidents between July 3 and December 1, 2021.
Donoghue, of HMP Altcourse, was sentenced to eight years and six months. Neary,of Preston Prison, was sentenced to six years and nine months.
CCTV footage released by police shows Donoughe distracting a shop manager while Neary sneaks into the office of a McColl's store in Penketh, before trying to force a safe open and stealing a cash box. In another clip he kicks in a door to get into a shop