Bank robbers jailed for blowing up cash machines and stealing £80,000

Two men have been sentenced to eight years each for blowing up cash machines at two banks in south Wales.

Detectives launched an investigation in October last year when explosives were used on a Barclays Bank cash machine on Main Avenue, Treforest Industrial Estate, and £45,000 was stolen.

Just over a week later, in November, the Barclays Bank cash machine on Bridgend Industrial Estate was attacked in the same way and £36,000 was taken.

Watch: The thieves use explosives on the bank cash machines.

Russel Luke Bennett, aged 21, from Totterdown, Bristol, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to cause an explosion, and one count of burglary and was sentenced to eight years .

Benjamin Brian Barrett, who is 30 years-old, from Bishopsworth, Bristol, pleaded guilty to one count of conspiracy to cause an explosion and two counts of burglary and was jailed for eight-and-a-half-years.