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   ;) ;) 220317.jpg','npics2','Machete+found+in+the+home+of+Paul+Cox+');) ;) 220648.jpg','npics2','Gloves+and+balaclavas+recovered+by+GMP');) 221144.jpg','npics2','A+watch+recovered+by+GMP+during+the+raid');)  30 years behind bars for three thieves
Three men who carried out surveillance while planning to commit robberies have been jailed for a total of almost 30 years. 30-year old Paul Cox, of Old Mill Close and David Osbourne, 31, of Springwell Close pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to commit robbery and money laundering at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court. Today, Thursday 14 January 2010, Cox was jailed for nine-and-a-half years and Osbourne was jailed for nine years. Neil Hudson, 39, of Godolphin Close also pleaded guilty to two counts of conspiracy to commit robbery and possession of cocaine with intent to supply. He was jailed today for six years for the robbery and four-and-a-half years for the drugs offence to run consecutively (total 10-and-a-half years). On 7 July 2008, police searched Hudson's home address on Deepdale Close, Salford and found what has been described as a 'robbers kit'. It became clear that it was the base for the trio's thorough planning of robberies. A 3-series BMW, stolen from Bolton, was found in the garage. Garet Hayes, a prolific car thief who would sell cars to order from other criminals, has since been convicted of this theft. Inside the address, officers found a two-page trip sheet with the full itinerary of a security company's cash deliveries for 11 April 2008. The group also kitted themselves out with balaclavas, machetes and gloves, all of which were seized by police. Large amounts of cash, expensive watches and weapons were found in the homes of Cox and Osbourne, neither of whom have worked for a number of years. The police investigation also revealed that the group had planned two attacks in 2008, one in June the second in September, both with a view to robbing men of large amounts of cash. Paul Cox and David Osbourne admitted their involvement in both attacks. Neil Hudson admitted his involvement in the attack in June 2008. In June 2008 Cox, Osbourne and Hudson tracked the movements of a man driving a van in Salford. Witnesses described a group of masked men raiding a van in the middle of the day near Mocha Parade, Salford. The victim was unhurt. In September 2008 Cox and Osbourne were involved in the tracking of a man in Little Hulton, Witnesses described a group of masked men attacking the victim who sustained head injuries during the attack. He was able to get away from his attackers by flagging down a member of the public who drove him away from the area. Detective Inspector Colin Webb, who has led the Salford CID investigation into the trio said: "These were ruthless, professional and organised robbers who had the ability to use technology in the planning and execution of their offences. "This often difficult police investigation has uncovered an enterprise that was thoroughly planned with great attention to detail. The three men were particular in the type of victims they targeted in that they were unlikely to report these matters to the police. "I have no doubt that with these men behind bars, the streets of Greater Manchester are much safer. Had any of the cash in transit robberies taken place, this trio would have caused great anguish, whether they got what they wanted or not." Main Photo: Neil Hudson
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