Man who blew up cash machine jailed for eight years

A would-be robber who blew up a cash machine with explosives has been jailed for eight years, police have said.

Detectives investigating the attempted theft of cash from an ATM in Powburn, Northumberland, in May found explosive devices when they raided Kristopher Follos’s home.

Dramatic CCTV images showed the 45-year-old trying to blast his way into the cashpoint at Hedgeley Service Station.

Those responsible for the explosion fled empty-handed, police said.

When officers raided Follos’s home in Morpeth, bomb disposal experts had to attend after improvised explosive devices were found.

He was charged with conspiracy to steal, conspiracy to cause explosions and making an explosive substance.

Follos, who admitted the charges in September, was jailed for eight years at Newcastle Crown Court on Wednesday, the North East regional crime unit said.

After the sentencing, Detective Sergeant Patrick Naughten said: “Follos has proven he is an extreme danger to the public and this sentence reflects the hard work officers and partners have put in to secure this result.

“I want to thank the dedicated specialist teams we have pursuing suspects and protecting the public.

“It is this robust regional response that ensures we can continue to protect North East communities.”

David Lee, senior crown prosecutor at CPS North East, said: “The use of improvised explosive devices by Follos posed an obvious danger to members of the public, but he gave this little thought in pursuit of his own financial gain.”