Mum and children ‘terrified’ as sledgehammer raiders smash way …
Three men used a sledgehammer to smash their way inside a Wilmslow[1] home during a 'terrifying' raid. A mum was at home at the time with her two children as the trio burst their way inside.
However the family fled the property on Primrose Way and got help from a neighbour. The brave neighbour 'interrupted' the Jamie Keegan, Conrad Peter-Strachan, and Jason Ryan.
While the men got back into a Mini Copper and initially made their escape - the vehicle stopped and two of the offenders ran back and 'forcibly' stole the man's watch. However DNA left on the sledgehammer and car helped cops track down the three thugs - who are now behind bars.
The incident unfolded at around 7.25pm on November 16 last year when they pulled up on a driveway on the new-build estate. They proceeded to use a sledgehammer to smash the rear patio doors - with the stunned occupant running for help.
READ: Detectives issue appeal after woman dies in M56 tragedy[2]
Along with stealing the watch the burglars also took a £30 make-up organiser which they stole from the property. However Cheshire Police say 40-year-old Keegan's and 38-year-old Peter-Strachan's DNA were found on the sledgehammer - which had been left at the scene.
Meanwhile the Mini was found at around 9pm in Wilmslow. It was found to be a stolen car on cloned plates.
Inside the car cops found a phone attributed to Keegan, of Thirsk Avenue, Sale, while DNA linked it to both him and 36-year-old Ryan. Officers went on to arrest Keegan on January 4 while Peter-Strachan was arrested on January 26 - both in Manchester.
However Ryan, of Stockdale Road, Blackley, fled the area. But officers from the constabulary's serious and organised crime unit used telecoms data which placed him in Cornwall.
(Image: Chester Chronicle)
Cops travelled from Cheshire and detained him on January 16. Subsequently Keegan and Peter-Strachan, of Herle Drive, Manchester, were both sentenced to seven years and nine months having both pleaded guilty to burglary, handling stolen goods, and robbery.
Ryan, who appeared with the other two defendants in court on Monday (July 31), was sentenced to 16 months after pleading guilty to burglary, as well as two counts of driving while disqualified and two counts of driving without insurance.
PC Natalie Palin, speaking after the sentencing at Chester[3] Crown Court, said: "This was a terrifying ordeal for the victim who was at home with her two children when these three men targeted the address, somewhere she should have felt safe.
“While the victim and her children will never be able to forget what happened that night, I do hope the fact the offenders are now behind bars will provide them with some reassurance.
“Cheshire has one of the highest charge rates for burglary in the UK, and we’re committed to doing all we can to ensure those responsible are held to justice. As this case demonstrates, if you come to Cheshire to commit crime, there really is nowhere you can hide, and we will go to the ends of the country to ensure you are held accountable.”
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References
- ^ Wilmslow (www.cheshire-live.co.uk)
- ^ Detectives issue appeal after woman dies in M56 tragedy (www.cheshire-live.co.uk)
- ^ Chester (www.cheshire-live.co.uk)
- ^ Sign up for CheshireLive email direct to your inbox here (www.cheshire-live.co.uk)