Leeds gang guilty of murder and robbery plots

Dennis Slade, 33, and Richard Pearman, 34, were found guilty of two counts conspiring to commit robbery between January 2007 and March 2008 including at the Sainsbury's store at Colton, Leeds.

They were also convicted of two counts of robbery. The first, in March 2006, involved the theft of more than 1 million from a Securitas van in Warrington. The second was in December 2007 at the Cross Gates post office in Leeds.

Michael Baxter, 33, was also found guilty of the Warrington robbery. He admitted two counts of conspiracy to rob – including at the Sainsbury's store in Leeds – and robbery at the post office at Cross Gates.

James Hudson, 26, had already admitted conspiring to rob the Sainsbury's store and robbery at the post office in Cross Gates.

Slade, Pearman and Baxter were also found guilty of conspiring to murder a 40-year-old Leeds man in 2008, arson, criminal damage and handling stolen property following a trial at Leeds Crown Court in August 2009.

Sentencing is due to take place at Leeds Crown Court next week.

A West Yorkshire Police spokesman said: "These investigations demonstrate the dedication and professionalism of detectives to bring serious and organised criminals to justice.

"The work to arrest criminals continues across the county and the region with officers working across force boundaries and with other law enforcement agencies.

"The convictions of these men demonstrate the specialist skills West Yorkshire has to ensure the most serious criminals are put before the courts and convicted.

"We hope that the victims in these cases can take some comfort from today's verdict."

Police mounted a high-profile security operation for the seven-month duration of the hearings.

Full story in Tuesday's Yorkshire Post