Pillow gang jailed for 16 years

AN Oldham trio who burgled over 50 homes across Lancashire and Cheshire have been jailed for a total of 16 years.

Peter Clarke, James McMillan and Garry Dunkerley ransacked homes for four months, taking large amounts of cash and jewellery in pillow cases stolen from their victims.

McMillan (29), of Spring Street, Oldham, Dunkerley (43), of Heron Street, Oldham, and Clarke (27), of Forest Bank prison, all pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary at Burnley Crown Court.

McMillan and Dunkerley were jailed for six years and Clarke for four years eight months.

The gang targeted a range of residents, including a 99-year-old woman in Nelson. Three burglaries in November 2013 involved pensioners in their 70s. The men also stole a £12,000 Toyota from a family while they were out at a funeral.