Article: ?30m trail of the mansion raiders; Ricky Johnson: Eight years Chad Johnson (left) and Daniel O'Loughlin: 11 years each Michael Nicholls: Ten years.

Byline: Charlotte Gill

THE astonishing 20-year reign of one of Britain's most prolific criminal families is over.

Five members of the Johnson gang were jailed for a total of almost 50 years after stealing art and antiques worth more than ?30million from stately homes.

One of the raids, on the 17th-century home of property tycoon Harry Hyams, was the largest private burglary ever carried out in the UK.

The gang were arrested following an anonymous tip-off to police about a purpose-built underground bunker, accessed only by a narrow hole in the ground and covered by a trap door.

Inside, officers found a third of the valuables ...

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