Jail for burglar who drove at police

A thug who drove at police while escaping in a stolen car from a Black Country burglary has been jailed for seven and a half years.

Suni Gill burst into a flat at 1am with two accomplices, both of whom were armed with knives, a judge was told. And, as he escaped, Gill and his accomplices deliberately drove at a police car, forcing officers to swerve violently to avoid being struck.

Wolverhampton Crown Court heard that Gill and his gang beat up John Sullivan during the robbery, demanded money and ripped a bracelet from the arm of his partner Hayley Jordan.

Mr Sullivan had opened the door to his home in Howard Street, Tipton, on July 6 last year because he recognised Gill after looking through the security peep hole.

Recorder Myles Watkins told the 23-year-old, who appeared for sentence after being convicted by a jury after a trial in June: "Mr Sullivan tried to close the door after realising there were two other people but you all forced your way in.

"He was then punched in the face and held in a head lock while being struck by further blows. His partner was also injured when a bracelet was ripped from her arm.

"The knives were produced, although you were not responsible for this. I recognise that fact, just as I recognise that it was a joint enterprise. Demands for money were also made."

Mr Jasvir Mann, defending, confirmed that a knife had been put to the throat of Mr Sullivan but was "not used to cut the skin".

The attackers stole £30 cash, a 42in TV, an Xbox, cigarettes and mobile phones before fleeing. Gill also took car keys belonging to Mr Sullivan before getting into the vehicle as police, who had been alerted to the incident, reached the scene, the court heard.

He drove at their vehicle, forcing them to take avoiding action, said Recorder Watkins.

Gill, who had a string of previous convictions, was arrested later the same day but consistently denied being involved.

The jury convicted him of both aggravated burglary and aggravated vehicle taking.