Sunderland and South Shields pair jailed for bungling lockdown shop raid

Jonathon William Hughes and Graham Liddle are each beginning 18 weeks in prison after they were convicted of the botched break-in at Geekys, in Waterloo Place, Sunderland, following a trial.

Two accomplices, who also denied attempted burglary, have received suspended jail terms after they too were found guilty at South Tyneside Magistrates’ Court.

The four suspects were arrested near the scene after the alarm was raised on April 28 and police have now said: “This case highlights how we are committed to acting quickly and decisively whenever suspicious behaviour is reported to us.”

Hughes, 35, of Tadcaster Road, Thorney Close, Sunderland, and Liddle, 50, of Downham Court, South Shields, were jailed earlier this week after the court decided in each case that “the offence was aggravated by the defendant’s record of previous offending”.

They must also pay a victim surcharge of £128 each.

Kevin Jordan Marrs, 33, of Oxford Street, Pallion, Sunderland, received an 18-week jail term, which was suspended for a year, and was ordered to pay a £128 victim surcharge.

Grant McCormack, 35, whose address was given as Ashfields Court, Sunderland, received a 38-week jail term, which was suspended for a year, and must pay a £128 victim surcharge after he also admitted committing two attempted burglaries in the Hill View and Tunstall areas of the city on June 5.

Detective Constable Neil Swainston, of Northumbria Police, said afterwards: “The last few months have been an uncertain time for many business owners, some of whom will no doubt have been concerned about the security of their premises while in isolation.

“Nothing was stolen in this particular case, but officers got to the scene quickly and located vital evidence before searching the area and locating the four suspects.

“This case highlights how we are committed to acting quickly and decisively whenever suspicious behaviour is reported to us and some fantastic teamwork between officers allowed us to secure this swift conviction.

“We will not tolerate this kind of behaviour and we will continue to put thieves before the courts.”

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