FOUR Dudley brothers who were part of a gang of “determined” burglars who targeted commercial premises across the Black Country have each been jailed for 29 months.

Judge Nicholas Webb told the six-strong gang it was clear they were looking to steal a “significant” amount of property, adding: “You were in it for the money and you each played an equal part.”

He said they had been wearing dark clothing, their faces were covered and they all had previous convictions for dishonesty when they went out looking to raid two local supermarkets and a garage.

The judge at Wolverhampton Crown Court also jailed a fifth member of the gang for 29 months, while the sixth was locked up for 31 months.

Adrian Wilkins, aged 26, Ashley Wilkins, aged 31, and 24-year-old Robert Wilkins, all of Abberley Street, Dudley, and 23-year-old Daniel Wilkins, now living in Churchfield Road, Wednesbury, all admitted burgling Sainsbury’s Local in Compton Road, Wolverhampton and stealing nearly £13,000 worth of cigarettes.

The four brothers further admitted burgling the BP garage in Cradley Heath with intent to steal and attempting to burgle the Costcutter store in Cradley Heath.

Ben Griffiths, aged 33, of Booth Road, Wednesbury, also admitted the three charges but they were denied by 35-year-old Mark Pass, of Slim Avenue, Bilston.

He was found guilty of the offences after the jury retired to consider the evidence at the end of his trial and he was given the 31 month prison sentence by the judge.

Ian Speed, prosecuting, told the court the six men were masked and wearing gloves when they raided the Sainsbury's store and they escaped with their haul after breaking into cupboards.

They were caught on CCTV getting into the Cradley Heath garage but they escaped with nothing and they fled with no stolen property when the alarm was activated at the Costcutter store.

Barristers on behalf of all the defendants unsuccessfully pleaded for their sentences to be suspended as they maintained they had kept out of trouble with the police since the offences which were committed in January 2016

Mr Speed told the court there was significant planning in the offences which were carried out under the cover of darkness by a group of men out to line their pockets.