A masked raider who subjected a self-employed businessman and his wife to a terrifying gang robbery ordeal in their own home has received a 15-year sentence.
The couple were tied up and robbed by a gang of five or six armed men, but only Leon Foran was tracked down after he left incriminating evidence behind.
Foran was sentenced to 10 years’ with an extended licence of five years by Judge Robert Trevor-Jones who told him it was “a very traumatic incident which would have been terrifying”.
Foran, 22, and his accomplices struck at the victim’s large home in Parbold on October 28 last year while the family were watching television.
Peter Barr, prosecuting, told Liverpool Crown Court: “It was sophisticated, planned and well executed. It was carried out in a professional manner by a gang who had targeted the address.
“They knew he (the victim) had a variety of items in his home and by the nature of his business would have cash and had a safe.”
The couple heard repeated banging at the front door and it was then kicked open and a gang of five or six masked men wearing dark clothing burst in.
One had a knife and the others may have had weapons, Mr Barr said.
He added: “They ran in to the house screaming ‘get down, get down, where’s the safe? take us to the safe’.”
The businessman’s wife then had the knife, which had a six-inch blade, held to her throat and while she was screaming hysterically in front of him her arms and legs were bound with gaffer tape.
Her husband was frog-marched to the safe in the garage and while there Foran picked up the victim’s screwdriver. He held it in his mouth while later helping tie him up with more gaffer tape. His DNA was later found on the tape.
The raiders grabbed expensive jewellery which also had great sentimental value and an iPhone, said Mr Barr.
They were not content with the cash from the safe and the businessman, who was kicked in the ribs, found another £700 in the house to appease them. Before leaving with their haul they demanded the keys to his wife’s BMW car and drove away in it.
The couple managed to free themselves and raise the alarm and a police officer spotted the car shortly afterwards driving at high speed in Alder Lane, Parbold and gave chase.
The gang abandoned the vehicle with the engine still running and escaped.
Mr Barr said the businessman was still suffering pain from his rib injuries and his wife had been very badly traumatised and was having counselling.
Foran, of Bramcote Road, Kirkby, pleaded guilty to robbery.
Paul Lewis, defending, said he had never committed such a serious offence before and was remorseful.
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Source: http://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/