Raid couple still have nightmares
A businessman told today how he and his partner were targeted by the man who valeted their cars in a terrifying raid on their luxury home – as the man they once trusted started a jail sentence of almost 10 years.
A businessman told today how he and his partner were targeted by the man who valeted their cars in a terrifying raid on their luxury home – as the man they once trusted started a jail sentence of almost 10 years.
Richard Barnfather also revealed that the frightening ordeal had delayed his planned marriage to fiancee Debbie Leadbetter.
Car valeter Nathan McDonald was today in jail for his role as one of a masked gang who smashed their way into Mr Barnfather's £1 million converted barn set in 10 acres at Lower Rudge, Pattingham, tying up the couple and ransacking their home.
Mr Barnfather, 48, who runs the Darlaston-based wire manufacturer that carries his name, was hit over the head with a fake gun and his 37-year-old partner attacked by the raiders who fled with a £44,000 haul of jewellery that included her £25,000 diamond solitaire engagement ring.
The gang also took Mr Barnfather's brand new £198,000 Aston Martin, £78,000 Range Rover Vogue and Mercedes SLK.
The stolen vehicles, that all had tracker devices, were dumped in Tipton, Smethwick and Wolverhampton within hours of the March 9 robbery.
Speaking after McDonald was jailed for nine years and eight months at Shrewsbury Crown Court yesterday Mr Barnfather said: "I think I first met him about four years ago when a car of mine was valeted as part of a Le Mans 24 hour race experience.
"He has cleaned our cars before. He has been down to our house. I feel it has been a total invasion of our privacy."
Mr Barnfather continued: "Psychologically its had quite an effect and caused us lots of trouble. I just hope we can get ourselves through it. Debbie and myself are going to have to try and pick up the pieces and rebuild our lives. We have sold the cars and we have relocated.
"It has been quite a traumatic time over the last three months. We had hoped to get married but that has had to be put on hold. We have been abroad twice since this happened and she frequently wakes up after having nightmares thinking people are coming into the house. She has dreams about making her escape from the house. It has really shaken her up.
"She is really nervous and it is going to take her a while to get her confidence back."
The couple were alerted by barks from their German pointer Tilly as they went upstairs to bed and thought the saw something moving outside the house. "I thought I might encounter a badger," said Mr Barnfather.
He went outside to investigate and came face to face with the masked gang who smashed their way into the house as Miss Leadbetter locked the door and dashed upstairs to phone the police.
McDonald was arrested after his blood matched stains found inside two of the stolen cars.
An imitation hand gun later found during a search of his home in Merridale, Wolverhampton, was missing a magazine cartridge found outside the Barnfathers' home, Shrewsbury Crown Court heard yesterday.
The other robbers from the gang have not been traced and McDonald, who pleaded guilty to robbery and possession of an imitation firearm, has been too scared to name them.
Judge Robin Onions told him: "It seems perfectly clear that, armed with the knowledge that he was a man of wealth, you set out to rob him. This must have been the stuff of nightmares. Gratuitous and completely unnecessary violence was carried out. The psychological harm from this robbery will no doubt live with this couple for many, many more years to come."
Det Insp Mark Bellamy, the senior investigating officer for West Mercia Police, said: "McDonald and his accomplices were ruthless, quite prepared to use violence to obtain what they were looking for.
"Mr Barnfather and Miss Leadbetter were tied up and beaten, left battered and bruised, needing to be examined at hospital following their terrifying ordeal."
Two other men arrested in the Wolverhampton area earlier in the year have now been released from their bail. A 23-year-old man from Wolverhampton was arrested on Tuesday on suspicion of conspiracy to rob. He has since been bailed.
There is a £14,000 reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of the offenders.
