Robber terrorised family in their home

COURT: A man begged masked robbers not to harm his wife and son when they targeted a family home in an affluent suburb.

A court heard that the father was ordered to get on his knees before he wife was forced to go into a bedroom alone to hand over jewellery. Their 13-year-old son was also confronted during the incident.

A MAN begged masked robbers not to harm his wife and son when they targeted a family home in an affluent suburb.

A court heard that the father was ordered to get on his knees before he wife was forced to go into a bedroom alone to hand over jewellery.

Their 13-year-old son was also confronted during the incident at the five-bedroom house in Bramhope, Leeds.

Leeds Crown Court heard that Paul Ewart and another unidentified man deliberately targeted luxury homes.

The pair burst into the house at around midnight on June 18 as the parents were in the living room and their son was upstairs in bed.

They kicked down the door to the living room and ordered the father to kneel on the floor and look down.

His wife ran from the house and tried to ring police on her mobile phone but was chased and caught by one of the robbers.

He smashed her phone before ordering her upstairs to a bedroom. The woman was forced to hand over jewellery, including her engagement ring.

Duncan Ritchie, prosecuting, said the father offered Ewart money not to harm his wife or son.

Ewart responded by picking up a heavy crystal vase and threatening to hit him with it.

The two men ran off but Ewart was linked to the robbery after his blood was found at the scene.

Items from the robbery and other property taken during the burglary spree were found at his home in Elmete Way, Roundhay.

Ewart pleaded guilty to robbery and nine offences of burglary and five offences of fraud.

Sean Smith, mitigating, said Ewart committed the offences to pay for drink and drugs. Ewart was jailed for nine years.

Recorder Toby Wynn said: “You are basically too selfish and lacking in empathy to care about other people, and that is why you

You are basically too selfish and lacking in empathy to care. Recorder Toby Wynn.

commit these crimes. This man pleaded with you not to harm his wife and not to harm his child.

“Instead you armed yourself with a lethally heavy weapon and went as if to strike him.”

Detective Inspector Simon Jessup, of Leeds District Crime Team, said: “Ewart put this family through an absolutely terrifying ordeal, the traumatic effects of which are likely to stay with them for some time.

“He is a prolific offender whose crimes have had a negative impact on the lives of many people, and he has repeatedly shown a complete disregard for his victims.”