A YEAR-LONG investigation which took detectives across the country ended yesterday when eight members of a criminal gang were jailed for more than 30 years for their part in burglaries.

The Sunderland gang was responsible for more than £150,000 worth of burglaries from garages, off-licences and shops spanning across 14 police forces in the country.

Eight men - Gary Tuckerman, 34, of Rowell Close, Ryhope; John Wallis, 31, of Lindsey Close, Hendon; Jevon Brown, 34, of Slaley Court, Doxford Park; John Carney, 34, of Aldershot Square; Kevin Guiheen, 34, of Margate Street, Silksworth; Kevin Bate, 35, of Menai Court, Doxford Park; Marvin Laing, 38, of Cornbank Close, Hill Farm and Richard Anderson, 34, of Grays Cross all admitted conspiracy to steal. They each received sentences ranging from three to four years.

Mandy Jenkinson, 36, of St Paul's Terrace, Ryhope, pleaded guilty to money laundering. She was sentenced to a four-month nightly home curfew order. The gang were all sentenced yesterday by Newcastle Crown Court.

The court was told that the gang would split into two groups and prey on lone garage attendants and shop assistants. One part of the gang would engage them in conversation while others would ransack store rooms stealing cash, cigarettes and top-up cards.