AN ARMED gang broke into a high street Co-op in the early hours of the morning, causing £3,000 damage and stealing e-cigarettes and booze.

The Co-op in Wickford High Street was targeted by Danny Brandon, 40, and Paul Robinson, 48, both of no fixed address, and Nicola Andrews, 54, of Nightingale Crescent, Harold Wood.

They smashed their way into the store before being found with bolt cutters and a wrench in a car.

Brandon and Andrews avoided jail at Basildon Crown Court yesterday while Robinson was handed a 10 month prison sentence.

The trio also targeted a shop in Ingatestone, at around 2.30am on Saturday February 27, just hours before the Wickford break-in.

Prosecuting Jollyon Robinson said: “They smashed their way into McColls and a suspect was seen getting into a car and it drove off.

“Then 30 minutes later a burglary was reported at Co-Op and items of a significant value were taken and the same car was seen outside.

“The registration was reported and police stopped the car on the A12 at 4.05am and the three defendants were in the car, with the significant value of goods and tools that could be useful if you’re going to break into premises including bolt cutters and a wrench.”

Mitigating for Brandon and Robinson, Lucy Sweetland said: “Both men have a record of drug addiction behind a history of offending, and never got off on any different way of life.

“Robinson’s recent experience in prison and being released was not positive and he ended up homeless and it’s clear the root cause of the relapse was accelerated.

“Brandon has a son he’s very proud of and he doesn’t want to let him down again and his partner is willing to have him at her place.

“He also took it upon himself to check into a rehabilitation facility.”

Mitigating for Andrews. Rhys Rosser said: “This has come from increased drug use and she is living with her father and is being rehoused in Basildon.”

Andrews was handed a four month sentence suspended for a year, ordered to complete 30 days rehabilitation activity requirement, and given a curfew between 7pm and 6am.

Brandon was given a year sentence suspended for 18 months and curfew from 7pm to 6am