A GANG of thieves targeted B&Q stores, including in York, in a cunning operation which saw them get away with thousands of pounds of showers and DIY goods.

The illegal enterprise typically began with a couple of the gang visiting the selected store and loading trolleys with the items wanted, Leeds Crown Court was told. They would then wheel them into the garden section outside the main building and hide the equipment near the security fence.

After leaving the store, giving the appearance of not having purchased anything, some of the group would return usually at night, cut a hole in the fence and make off with the goods ranging from lawn mowers to Karcher washers.

Robert Galley prosecuting told the court that on July 10 this year police stopped Peter Nathaniel Wild, Ian Parkin and Michael Kitching at 2.40am in the Barnsley area in an Astra car which contained balaclavas, bolt croppers, a jemmy and bags of B&Q goods.

Inquiries with B&Q revealed a number of stores had been targeted over previous months beginning on January 3 at the York branch where Parkin and Wild were spotted on CCTV wheeling a trolley to the outside area before leaving empty-handed.

Shower units and Karcher washers totalling £2,698 were found to have been stolen from that premises after the hole in the fence was discovered.

Ian Brook representing Wild said he committed the offences because of a long-standing drug habit and not to fund any kind of lavish lifestyle.

Wild, 39 of Brockfield Close, Parkin, 33 of Bank End Avenue, and Kitching 42 of Hilltop, all Barnsley admitted conspiracy to steal from B&Q. Wild also asked for five other offences of theft to be taken into consideration.

Each was jailed for two years.