Robber who pointed gun at woman and pregnant daughter in street is jailed

Luke Ireland was later arrested when a bid to evade police chasing him over an unconnected matter by plunging into a canal failed and he had to be fished out of the water by officers.

Ireland pounced as Mrs Diane Duggan and 19-year-old Kirsty Doughty were walking in the dark to Pelsall Labour Club at 9pm on March 29, Wolverhampton Crown Court heard yesterday.

The 56-year-old woman suddenly had her hair pulled from behind and felt something cold pressed against her neck in nearby Church Road, revealed Mr Rhydian James, prosecuting.

He continued: "The defendant then came round to face Mrs Duggan and demanded; 'Give me you bag.' She was extremely scared.

"Her daughter was 22 weeks pregnant, and visibly so. She screamed when she saw the gun pressed to the back of her mother's head. Ireland then pointed the weapon at her chest before running away with Mrs Duggan's bag that contained £97 cash and her phone."

The 27-year-old raider was said to have run away when he spotted that his teenage victim was pregnant. The next day he repeatedly punched a 19-year-old man following a dispute in Walsall town centre, the court was told.

Shortly afterwards police arrived to arrest him at home over an unconnected domestic inquiry that was later discontinued, said Mr James.

Ireland fled but escape foundered when he plunged into a canal and had to be helped out of the water by police officers. He then admitted the earlier robbery and street attack.

The stolen handbag was found dumped in the Shelfield area with the cash and phone missing. Police discovered the BB gun he had pointed at the women at an address in Dibble Close, Walsall. Mr James said: "A firearms expert confirmed that it had the appearance of a self loading handgun."

Kirsty Doughty said in a victim impact statement referred to it court: "I was very scared and will now always be looking to see who is behind me when I am out. I felt sick that somebody should to this - especially to a pregnant woman."

Mr Nigel Ford, defending, commented: "He fully appreciated the gravity of the offence. Those two ladies would not have known that it was an imitation firearm. Initially the police were seeking him for a domestic matter and had no idea of his involvement in the other incidents until he told them."

Father of one Ireland from King George Crescent, Rushall had taken drugs before committing the offences after 'effectively' being thrown out by his partner after a row, continued the lawyer.

The defendant admitted robbery, attempted robbery, possession of an imitation firearm and assault. His child is now expected to be taken into care, the court heard.

He was sent to prison for four years and nine months by Judge John Warner who told him: "You ran off when you realised the obvious pregnancy of one of the women and although there was no actual violence it was a very frightening experience for both of them."