‘Elf’ is jailed after terrifying robbery
MASKED MAN SMASHED HIS WAY INTO HOME
A MAN who wore a Christmas elf mask as he threatened three people at knifepoint in a terrifying attempted robbery has been jailed for more than seven years.
A couple in Benedict Close, Hull, were asleep with one of their friends sleeping on the sofa on the morning of March 26 earlier this year.
At around 6.40am, all three were awoken to the sound of smashing and banging coming from the kitchen as a man broke in through a window using a brick.
The couch-surfing friend found himself being confronted by a robber wearing a Christmas elf mask armed with a knife telling him to go upstairs.
“You have the wrong person,” said the victim before the robber headed towards the stairs where he saw a woman standing on the landing.
He pointed the knife towards her and said: “Give me the money or he is getting stabbed downstairs. Give me the drugs.”
As she ran to her bedroom to join her partner the robber followed her and kicked the door down with such force it cracked.
He continued his threats towards the couple, shouting: “You have five seconds or I’m going to stab you.”
The victim told the robber she had nothing before managing to pull down his mask to reveal his identity.
The victim recognised Thomas Wilson, 34, who ran out the property after his identity was revealed. She then called the police.
Officers found Wilson at his partner’s address and the knife used in the incident under a bed.
Wilson, of Sunbeam Road, Hull, was arrested, but was first taken to Hull Royal Infirmary after he had cut his knee on shards of glass as he tried to enter the property, leaving his blood at the scene.
He appeared at Hull Crown Court on Thursday to be sentenced for attempted robbery.
“References speak of another side of his character, one that is not ravaged by drug addiction,” said barrister Helen Chapman.
“I make the submission that but for that drug addiction this offence would have never taken place. He has never appeared before the court for weapons offences or for serious violence. In fact, it is of significance he has not been before the crown court for more than 15 years.”
Wilson’s victims said they no longer felt safe in their own home.
Their friend who slept on the sofa said: “As soon as I saw the knife I thought I was going to get stabbed because he thought I was someone else. This was a terrifying incident,”
said Judge John Thackray QC as he sentenced Wilson to seven years and six months in prison.
“Some people never recover from an incident like this. It is probably every householder’s worst nightmare, the thought of a masked man armed with a knife entering their home while they are asleep.”