Police hail jail terms handed to robbery pair

The Audi belonging to Robert Nguiguti and his wife, a doctor, was stolen along with keys to a BMW motorbike, a handbag containing £100 and bank cards, and a laptop containing private patient files and an iPod during the break-in.

Levi Wilson, aged 19, of Cross Lane, Dudley, owned one of two imitation guns taken to the scene and used to threaten the couple during the break-in at their home near Bridgnorth. He was jailed for six years after being found guilty of robbery, burglary and two counts of possession of an offensive weapon.

Wilson's accomplice Simone O'Neil, aged 22, of Marshall Road, in Portobello, Willenhall, was sentenced to 18 months for burglary.

She had acted as getaway driver, transporting the gang to and from the isolated cottage in the village of Quatt.

Detective Inspector Pete Brophy said: "The occupants of this isolated rural home were subjected to a frightening ordeal in which a significant degree of violence was threatened.

"The case demonstrates that criminals who threaten violence, even if they do not carry out their threats, can expect to go to prison for a lengthy period.

"It is also important to focus on Wilson's accomplice O'Neil, who acted as driver. She played a lesser part but nevertheless, her role was pivotal and her sentence underlines that if involved in any way with such crimes, you are more than likely going to end up in prison."

He added: "Tackling violent crime remains a priority throughout the West Mercia force area and we work closely with neighbouring forces to identify and arrest travelling criminals."

During the five-week trial, Mr Nguiguti told the jury that he and his wife Dr Durrenjaf Siddique were left scarred by the break-in and now found it hard to think of the house as their home. They had since spent thousands of pounds on security measures. The couple were asleep when they were disturbed by the sound of a smash.

Mr Nguiguti then heard a noise in the lounge and ran downstairs to find someone escaping through a broken glass panel in the door.

He gave chase outside and tried to close the gates on the burglar who had jumped into the Audi until he yelled that he had a gun and leaned across as if to fetch it.

An imitation pump-action shotgun and a BB gun were later found in the boot of O'Neil's car.

Three other men Nicholas Alexander, aged 26, of Chorley Gardens, Bilston; Donovan Wilson, aged 18, of Cross Lane, Dudley; and Omari Maitland, aged 18, of Leslie Road, Park Village, Wolverhampton, were cleared of offences in connection with the case. All five had denied the charges.