FIVE men accused of masterminding 11 ram raids across the area are to stand trial at Lewes Crown Court in East Sussex in June, it has been confirmed.

Jimmy Shea, 24, of Nursery Road, Alton; Les Keet, 29, of Cobbetts Close, Normandy; Eric Summerfield, 63, of Walnut Tree Close, Guildford; Melvyn Beech, 47, of Kingston Road, Leatherhead; and Jason Mobey, 40, of Macdonald Road, Farnham, are to take the stand on Monday, June 3.

The trial is expected to last four weeks and will be preceded by an application to join the cases together at Lewes Crown Court on March 15.

All five men appeared via video link at Guildford Crown Court last Friday but entered no pleas.

They have been remanded in custody at High Down prison until the trial.

It relates to a spree of ATM thefts across Surrey, Hampshire and Sussex between May and December last year, including raids at Tesco Express in Ridgway Road, Farnham, on July 9, Halifax bank in West Street, Farnham, on August 17, Sleaford service station near Bordon on September 21, and HSBC bank in High Street, Alton, on November 17 – as well as offences in Rudgwick, Nutbourne and Billingshurst in Sussex, Denmead and Kingsworthy in Hampshire, and East Horsley in Surrey.

Police arrested six people in a series of co-ordinated early-morning raids early on Thursday, December 20, involving 70 officers from across Surrey, Sussex and Hampshire.

Three of the men, Mr Shea, Mr Keet and Mr Mobey, were subsequently charged with conspiracy to commit burglary (non-dwelling) and conspiracy to steal motor vehicles, while Mr Keet was also charged with conspiracy to commit robbery.

Mr Mobey, Mr Summerfield and Mr Beech were charged with conspiracy to commit burglary (dwelling) and robbery.