Three men who blew up a Post Office cash machine and made off with tens of thousands of pounds have been jailed today (Tuesday).

North Somerset Times: Patrick Duggan was jailed for seven years and eight months, Picture: Avon and Somerset Constabulary.Patrick Duggan was jailed for seven years and eight months, Picture: Avon and Somerset Constabulary. (Image: Archant)

Long Ashton’s store was left in ruins last January after Shane Dennis, Patrick Duggan and Nicholas Mann were jailed at Bristol Crown Court for their actions, which police say could have killed someone.

They stole gas canisters and used them to cause an explosion which ripped away the front of the building, causing £200,000 worth of damage.

North Somerset Times: Shane Dennis was given a six-year jail term. Picture: Avon and Somerset Constabulary.Shane Dennis was given a six-year jail term. Picture: Avon and Somerset Constabulary. (Image: Archant)

It took several months for the wreckage to be cleared and the store to be repaired before it could reopen.

All three admitted charges of conspiracy to steal and conspiracy to cause an explosion. They were sentenced to 20 years in prison collectively.

North Somerset Times: Nicholas Mann was handed a sentence of seven years and four months. Picture: Avon and Somerset Constabulary.Nicholas Mann was handed a sentence of seven years and four months. Picture: Avon and Somerset Constabulary. (Image: Archant)

Detective Chief Inspector Matt Iddon said: “Dennis, Duggan and Mann thought stealing money from cashpoints was a victimless crime but they couldn’t be more wrong.

“Their actions not only caused hundreds of thousands of pounds worth of damage but they also robbed a community of a vital service for a long period of time.

“It is also only through sheer luck that no one was seriously injured in this attack.

“The size and power of the explosion was evident in the destruction caused and someone could quite easily have been badly hurt or even killed.

“The sentences handed out by the judge reflect how seriously offenders who carry out these attacks are dealt with.”