The member of a gang that exploded 27 cash machines across London and Surrey has been jailed for nine years.

Ben Kilminster, 26, of Augustus Street, Regent's Park, was sentenced at Kingston Crown Court on Wednesday (April 26), having previously been found guilty of conspiracy to cause explosions likely to endanger life or cause serious injury to property and conspiracy to commit burglary.

Kilminster was the final of four members of the gang have now been jailed, for a total of 42 years.

Your Local Guardian:

The aftermath of the blast in Station Parade, Kew, on August 19, 2014

The Metropolitan Police’s Flying Squad investigated the offences, which took place between July 2014 and April 2015 and primarily affected banks and post offices.

In order to gain entry to the ATMs, the gang pumped a combustible gas into the machine and then ignited it with an electrical charge from around 15 metres away.

Eight of the offences were successful attempts at Martin's Newsagents, Station Parade, Kew (August 19, 2014); Shell Petrol Station, Popham Gardens, Richmond (October 24, 2014) and the Post Office, The Parade, Claygate (November 14, 2014).

Nineteen of the gang’s attempts failed, mostly when they exploded the ATM but were unable to access the safe to retrieve the cash, including two at the Post Office, St Margaret's Road, Twickenham (October 24 and November 4, 2014) and at the Post Office, Kingston Road, Ewell (November 4, 2014).

In three cases they fled the scene when disturbed or confronted by members of the public.

Your Local Guardian:

The aftermath of the blast in The Parade, Claygate, on November 14, 2014

The successful offences resulted in a total cash loss of approximately £356,330 with damage caused to the venues as a result of the explosions totalling £320,055.

DI Scott Hartley of the Met’s Flying Squad, said: “Kilminster is the fourth member of this gang to be jailed, all of whom have now received considerable prison sentences for their reckless actions. It was sheer luck that nobody was killed. They handled an extremely dangerous substance carelessly and with complete disregard for the safety of others. The level of threat they posed to community safety has been fully reflected in these sentences.

"In addition to the danger the activities of this gang posed to the community, there was extensive damage to a number of small businesses who housed the ATMs as well as significant inconvenience caused to communities who in many cases rely on the use of the ATM itself or the facilities and services provided by the host businesses."

Got a story? Call the newsdesk on 0208 722 6315 or email calum.rutter@london.newsquest.co.uk.