A man from March and another from Benwick have been jailed for their parts in a three-man raid at a cattery in a village near Peterborough.
Clad in balaclavas Barry Robinson, 39, of St Peters Road, March and Jordan Cole, 24, of no fixed abode burst into a home in Old Leicester Road, Wansford, at about 9am on Sunday, October 20.
The 67-year-old victim was at his kitchen table using his computer and was grabbed by Robinson, who put him in a head-lock and demanding to know where the safe was.
The victim reached into his pocket to grab a flick knife, which he uses for his work, and attempted to stab his attacker, who then let him go and fled with Cole who also grabbed the victim’s mobile phone from the table.
They ran out of the house pursued by the victim. Robinson picked up a piece of wood and struck him but the victim managed to protect himself with his arm.
Cole also threw a brick at the victim but missed.
They made off in a car being driven by Swaley Smith, 25, of Fields View, Benwick, and police were called.
Police officers realised the getaway car, a blue Volkswagen Golf, had been reported as being driven suspiciously in the area the previous day and a message was sent to neighbouring forces.
At about 10.30am, the vehicle activated an ANPR (automatic number plate recognition) camera in Boston town centre and the three suspects were arrested.
All denied the offences and would not answer questions in interview.
However, Robinson was forensically linked to the crime after the victim’s blood, from a finger he accidentally cut with the flick knife, was found on his clothing, while Cole’s footprints were found at the scene.
Smith’s fingerprints were found on a plastic bag found outside the property by a police officer.
After being shown the evidence, Robinson and Smith, pleaded guilty to attempted robbery, while Cole admitted burglary, relating to the mobile phone.
On Friday (January 17), Robinson and Cole were jailed for eight years and Smith seven years at Peterborough Crown Court.
DC Shish Thind, who investigated, said: “This was a planned robbery in which the offenders were prepared to use violence to get what they wanted.
“However, the victim showed considerable bravery to fight off his attacker and we were able to track down those responsible.
“This was terrible experience for the victim to have to go through and the case demonstrates how seriously this type of offence is treated by us and the courts.”
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