Jailed: Dudley robber smashed his way into terrified three-year-old's bedroom with a brick
A robber from Dudley who smashed his way through a three-year-old girl's bedroom window with a house brick has been jailed for over six years.
Ben Timmins, 26, of Sudeley Gardens, Gornal, also used threats to steal car keys and was sentenced to six years and two months at Wolverhampton Crown Court after pleading guilty to robbery.
The court heard how unemployed Timmins broke into the house in Turls Hill Road, Sedgley in the early hours of January 29.
The couple at the house were woken at 4am to the sound of a large bang coming from their three-year-old daughter's bedroom.
After rushing to her room, they found a man climbing through the bedroom window, which had been smashed with a house brick.
Timmins then threatened to harm the family in front of the child if they didn't hand over the keys to their Skoda Superb car parked outside.
He then threw the house brick at the man, causing minor injury.
Timmins climbed out through the window and escaped in the car,, worth £5,000.
A short time later the vehicle was found on its roof and forensic enquiries led officers to identifying Timmins as the driver.
He was later arrested and charged, and the case was heard on March 14.
Detective constable Neil Payton, from Brierley Hill police station, said: "I welcome this jail sentence. This was a terrifying experience for the family involved.
"Timmins entered the family home through a child's bedroom window in the early hours of the morning. He then threatened her parents in front of the traumatised child, before stealing their car.
"After Timmins had crashed the stolen car, police found gloves and keys belonging to Timmins left in the vehicle and he was arrested.
"When taking part in an ID parade, the victims managed to pick him out and Timmins later admitted the crime."
