A masked gang who caused what a judge described as a 'reign of terror' across three counties has been jailed for a combined total of nearly 60 years.
The six-month period saw Ben Hughes and Derby man Jamille Marsh, later joined by Antonio Olivieri, break into postmasters' homes, bind them and their families and on one occasion, terrify a security guard at a Melton theme park before setting fire to it and causing £2 million in damage.
The incident with the security guard happened at popular Melton theme park Twinlakes Park in Melton Spinney Road in the early hours of 27th August 2019.
The prosecutor said: "In September 2019 there was a burglary at Twinlakes Theme Park, near Melton Mowbray, where Hughes and Marsh, their faces covered, threatened and tied up a security guard and demanded he tell them where they would find keys to an office and a safe.
When he told them he did not have access to either they told him "tell us where the money is or we will f****** blast you". He said: "The place was later set ablaze, entirely gutting the premises and causing £2m of damage."
The new reception area at Twinlakes Park which was rebuilt following the fire. Photo: NEMM
Judge Shaun Smith KC said: "This was a reign of terror, none of you has any moral compass, all you were bothered about was stealing money by whatever means allowed."
Hughes, 38, of no fixed address, was jailed for 21 years. Marsh, 28, a father-of-two, of Danby Road, Littleover, was sent to prison for 18 years and Olivieiri, 38, of James Street, Burton, was jailed for 16 years and seven months.
Jamille Marsh and Ben Hughes part of a robbery and burglary gang that carried out a 'reign of terror' across three counties. Photo: Derbyshire Police
No custody photograph of Oliviera was released.
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