TWO MEN have been jailed for a total of 27 months for stealing cigarettes worth £6,500 from a Congleton off-licence.

James Cunliffe, aged 20, from Barry Road, Wythenshawe, was sentenced to 18 months in prison for his part in the raids on Cellar 5 in Biddulph Road, and ordered to complete 150 days of a previous sentence.

Matthew Davies, aged 24, from Millburn Avenue, Wythenshawe, received ninem months.

Both pleaded guilty to burglary and attempted burglary.

Knutsford Crown Court heard they stole cigarettes worth £2,800 in their first raid, and netted a £3,700 haul a week later

They stole a car and deliberately set out from their homes to raid a shop in Cheshire, later claiming the raids were carried out because of threats from a Manchester gang.

In first raid on June 22 a neighbour heard breaking glass and saw them loading cigarettes into a car.

Police were alerted, but they escaped.

On July 2 the tenant of a flat over the shop heard glass smashing, and rang the police after seeing them loading cigarettes into a car.

They were found in Maxwell Road, and after being shown a shop video admitted both raids.

Frank Parkinson, for Cunliffe, said the raid was staged because his mother was being threatened by a gang over money he owed.

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