Trio jailed after ‘sick’ attack on widow, 88
ADEFENCELESS widow was battered with a mystery weapon then locked in a bedroom as her home was ransacked in a “sickening” raid.
Jeffrey Earp, 50, who admitted the robbery at the 88-year-old’s home, was told by Judge Timothy Petts: “You have ruined her life.”
Caernarfon Crown Court heard the pensioner had been struck repeatedly to the face and had severe bruising, a broken arm, and lost consciousness during the ordeal.
She was left for a number of hours locked in a bedroom during the incident on June 19 last year.
Judge Petts said it was a sickening attack.
“It must have been an horrendous ordeal for her,” he told Earp, of Newtown, Powys .
Earp also pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit burglary in June last year at Newtown with two other men from the town.
Keith Grogan, 42, and Carl Barrett, 51, who were both said to have been disgusted by the violence inflicted by Earp, kept watch outside during the violent raid.
Prosecutor Anna Pope said: “There’s no suggestion or evidence either Grogan or Barrett went in the house. But they remained outside acting as lookouts.”
Miss Pope said the raid was “planned and targeted”.
The trio had been to scout out how easy it would be to steal from the property and the next morning, around 10am, they returned.
Blanche Rowlands had been outside walking down her path and unaware she was being watched.
When she returned to her door Earp had been waiting and he forced his way inside and demanded cash.
The victim was struck with an unknown weapon, causing “significant” injury to her face and body, and Mrs Rowlands was knocked to the floor.
Earp stopped her reaching a phone and he rifled through drawers and wardrobes, the court heard.
Police and an ambulance were alerted after a neighbour had been called by the widow’s daughter who’d tried to ring her without success. He heard faint knocking and found the victim “confused, upset and frightened”.
Miss Pope said it was a “confused” picture about what exactly had happened. “Mrs Rowlands’ recovery was slow and she continues to have limited movement to the upper left arm and shoulder,” she said.
An engagement ring, a gold watch received as a 21st birthday present, and her late husband’s gold ring were among items missing.
It was likely they had been sold in Shrewsbury by Grogan and Barrett, Miss Pope said.
Bethan Rowlands said in a statement her mother was injured in a “brutal” attack and she could no longer lead an independent life.
She said: “To say this attack has affected her life would be an understatement. The injuries have left her physically and mentally scarred.”
The pensioner suffered nightmares and flashbacks, the court heard.
“No-one else should have to go through what she went through,” her daughter added.
All three defendants had a catalogue of previous convictions.
Judge Petts said those who preyed on the elderly would receive “severe” sentences.
Earp was jailed for 14 years and four months. Grogan and Barrett, both from Newtown, were each jailed for three years.