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Two men who threatened a family in their North Tyneside home in an attempt to take money from them have been jailed.
Craig Irving and Clark Morrison went to an address in the Forest Hall area on August 11 last year and gained entry to the property while wearing balaclavas and armed with what appeared to be a double barrelled sawn-off shotgun and machete.
They then pointed the weapons at those inside the house – a man and woman – and demanded money from them. The offenders left the house empty-handed before fleeing the scene in a car driven by an accomplice.
Officers from Northumbria Police immediately launched a full investigation into the report and Irving, 44, and Morrison, 20, were identified as the two men who carried out the threats at the address, with Bradley Burrows, 21, acting as their getaway driver.
The shotgun was later found to be an imitation firearm.
Irving and Morrison were charged with possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear or violence, while Burrows was charged with encouraging or assisting in the commission of indictable offences believing that one or more will be committed.
In a hearing at Newcastle Crown Court in January, all three men pleaded guilty to the charges against them. Irving and Morrison were remanded while Burrows was granted conditional bail.
The men were back before the same court yesterday (Tuesday) where they were sentenced.
Irving, of Midway, Newcastle, was handed a prison sentence of three years and 11 months, while Morrison, of Mcilvenna Gardens, Wallsend, was given a custodial sentence of two years and 10 months after also admitting threatening another person.
Burrows, of Cedarwood Avenue, in Newcastle, was given an 18-month jail term suspended for two years and also ordered to carry out 100 hours unpaid work.
All three offenders were also given restraining orders preventing them from contacting the victims or entering their street for the next 10 years.
Following their sentencing, the Senior Investigation Officer in charge of the case, Detective Inspector Michelle Moir, of Northumbria Police, said: “Firstly, I’d like to thank the victims in this case who have fully assisted us with our lengthy and complex investigation.
“They were put through a terrifying ordeal and I hope now that those who forced their way into their home have been found responsible in a court of law, they will be able to take a degree of closure from the events of the past eight months and be able to move on with their lives.
“The behaviour of the defendants in this case was completely unacceptable and thankfully we were able to quickly find out who they were and get them arrested, interviewed and charged to go before court.
“Before they were due to face trial they pleaded guilty to the offences against them.
“Everyone in our communities has the right to feel safe in their own home and I hope this case demonstrates that if you do choose to commit serious crime of this nature, we will find you and bring you to justice.”
