Violent cousins went on robbery rampage
MASKED PAIR TIED UP VICTIMS AND CRASHED STOLEN CAR
A VIOLENT robber was sent to prison for 15 years for terrorising three residents and then tying up a couple to steal a getaway car.
Dwain West, 26, was told by a judge that he went on a “campaign of violent robberies” with his cousin, attacking police and stabbing one officer’s dog.
Judge Sarah Buckingham declared West to be a dangerous offender and said he must remain in prison for a decade before facing the Parole Board. He may have to serve the full term if he is still regarded as a public risk.
West stormed out of the dock at Nottingham Crown Court when told he must spend at least 10 years inside.
The judge told him: “You are a violent and reckless young man who has no fear or respect for authority and will readily use violence to get what you want.
“Probation suggest you show little or no victim empathy nor do you present as being remorseful.”
West, of Pedmore Valley, Bestwood had only been released from prison five weeks before the offences on March 18.
A 12-year prison term was imposed on Nathan Whyler, 30, of Ridgeway Walk, Top Valley. He will be released on licence after six years.
The pair admitted robbery, attempted robbery and aggravated vehicle taking. West also admitted wounding, criminal damage, having an offensive weapon and trying to resist arrest.
The court heard they wore masks when they broke into a block of flats in Wallan Street, Radford. The first victim was asleep when West demanded cash. They stabbed him in the side.
The terrified man gave his bank card PIN and told the pair how much cash he had, only to be told that it was not enough.
West ran a knife across his throat while the man was made to lie down and was tied up with sticky tape. He suffered a punctured lung and spent three days in hospital.
Soon after, another resident was woken to shouts of “police” as the hooded pair broke in. He was also tied up with the tape but managed to get away.
The offenders then went to the top floor, again shouting “police.” The occupant was punched and robbed. He said that he now rarely used the premises.
The judge said: “He describes leaving a wartorn country for safety and sanctuary in the UK and did not expect anything like this to happen to him.”
After leaving the flats, West jumped on a man in the street at 3am, holding a knife to his neck. Items were stolen and the man was ordered to run.
Around 90 minutes later, the masked men burst into a couple’s house, demanding money and the keys to their car.
The couple were tied up and warned not to try and get free for a few minutes. If they did, they were told they would be stabbed and set alight, the judge said.
The men reached 70mph as they drove off in the stolen BMW. It mounted a kerb and hit a lorry. As police closed in, West attacked officers and a police dog.
After the case, one of their victims said: “It keeps playing on my mind and I can never get to sleep until 4am every day.
“I was asleep and they bound my wrists. It was terrifying and they have not gone to prison for long enough.”
Detective Inspector Gareth Harding said: “In my 17 years in the police I have never seen two people commit such a violent series of crimes in such a short space of time.
“The devastation and disruption they caused is immeasurable and some of their victims will never get over what happened to them. I’d like to thank the victims who have been incredibly brave in seeing this case through.”