Mistaken identity burglars jailed

Three Wolverhampton thugs armed with a machete terrified a woman when they broke into her home by mistake and then proceeded to hunt for cash.

The gang were looking for a man to "settle a grievance" but unwittingly went to the home of the 60-year-old in Featherstone, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard.

Marcus Graham, Craig Hines and Stuart Pinnock were all jailed by recorder Paul Atkinson.

He told them: "Upon realising you were in the wrong place, instead of beating a hasty retreat, she was deliberately menaced with the machete in full view while the others looked for money."

Mr Atkinson told 26-year-old Graham, who had the machete and later threatened police officers with the weapon, that he clearly had "a propensity to commit crime".

Graham, of Perry Avenue, Low Hill, Wolverhampton, pleaded not guilty to aggravated burglary and affray but was convicted by a jury at the end of his trial and sent to prison for seven years.

Hines, aged 30, of Dickens Road, Low Hill, who had a history of committing robbery, admitted aggravated burglary and also assaulting his partner causing her actual bodily harm. He was put behind bars for five years.

The recorder said both Graham and Hines posed a risk of causing serious harm in the future.

Pinnock, 35, of Zoar Street, Pennfields, who refused to sit in court for the sentencing, admitted aggravated burglary and he was jailed for three years.

Peter Cooke, for Graham, told the court that no violence had been used towards the victim.

He said: "It was a criminal enterprise and she was not the intended victim.

"It was a planned visit to another man and she was caught in the crossfire."

Oliver Woolhouse, representing Hines, insisted he recognised the upset and harm caused to the victim and he was sorry.

Pinnock had not been fully aware of what Graham and Hines had planned to do and was affected by drink and drugs that night, told Laura Marshall, defending him.