Armed Thugs Jailed for Terrifying Gunpoint Home Invasion

A sleeping family’s worst nightmare became reality when armed thugs burst into their home, demanding luxury watches and jewellery at gunpoint—now, two violent burglars face years behind bars. -A sleeping family’s worst nightmare became reality when armed thugs burst into their home, demanding luxury watches and jewellery at gunpoint—now, two violent burglars face years behind bars. -Ben Freeman.Ben Freeman.

Ahorrifichorrificandviolentviolentaggravated burglary that saw a family terrorized in their own home has resulted in two men being sentenced to a combined 20 years in prison. The case, which unfolded atBasildon Crown CourtBasildon Crown Court, has brought closure to an ordeal described by police as a“horrific ordeal”“horrific ordeal”for the victims, who were subjected to an armed home invasion in the dead of night.

The attack took place inApril 2023April 2023, when a group of burglars forced their way into a family home inGrays, EssexGrays, Essex, while the occupants were sleeping. Armed with agungunandknivesknives, the intrudersdemanded jewellery and high-value watchesdemanded jewellery and high-value watches, leaving their victims in fear for their lives. One of the occupants suffered injuries severe enough to require hospital treatment.

When officers arrived at the scene in the early hours ofApril 21April 21, they swiftly arrested one of the attackers and began an intensive investigation, piecing together what had taken place inside that home.

Following an exhaustive forensic and CCTV review, theCrown Prosecution ServiceCrown Prosecution Serviceauthorized charges againstfive individualsfive individuals, leading to a trial that culminated in guilty verdicts for two of the suspects.

Among those convicted wasHassan Mansary, 27, of Goldsmith Road, Peckham,Hassan Mansary, 27, of Goldsmith Road, Peckham,who pleaded guilty toaggravated burglary, grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent, possession of a knife or bladed article, possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, and possession of ammunition without a certificateaggravated burglary, grievous bodily harm (GBH) with intent, possession of a knife or bladed article, possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, and possession of ammunition without a certificate. Hisguilty pleaguilty pleaspared the victims the ordeal of reliving the attack in court, but the weight of his crimes ensured he would face a significant custodial sentence.

Alongside him,Solwazi Asante, 19, of Eastbury Road, WatfordSolwazi Asante, 19, of Eastbury Road, Watford, denied his role in the burglary but was convicted after trial ofaggravated burglary, possession of a knife or bladed article, possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, and possession of ammunition without a certificateaggravated burglary, possession of a knife or bladed article, possession of a firearm with intent to endanger life, and possession of ammunition without a certificate. While the jury cleared him of the charge ofGBH with intentGBH with intent, his involvement in theviolent home invasionviolent home invasionwas proven beyond doubt.

The trial, which took place atBasildon Crown CourtBasildon Crown Court, also sawMohammed Mansary, 27, of Alameda Place, Bow; Anthony Foday, 27, of Nightingale Road, Bowes Park; and Tiarnna Barnes, 24, of Birch Close, PeckhamMohammed Mansary, 27, of Alameda Place, Bow; Anthony Foday, 27, of Nightingale Road, Bowes Park; and Tiarnna Barnes, 24, of Birch Close, Peckham, all cleared of their respective charges.

Delivering his verdict, the presiding judge made it clear that suchacts of premeditated violence would not be toleratedacts of premeditated violence would not be tolerated, handing downa nine-year sentencea nine-year sentencetoHassan MansaryHassan Mansaryand11 years11 yearstoSolwazi AsanteSolwazi Asante.

Detective InspectorFrazer LowFrazer Low, who led the investigation, praised theswift and decisiveswift and decisiveresponse by officers on the night, stating:

The sentences bring a measure of justice for the victims, who enduredan unimaginable ordealan unimaginable ordealat the hands of men willing to usedeadly weaponsdeadly weaponsin pursuit of their crimes. The presence of aloaded firearmloaded firearminside the property added analarming level of dangeralarming level of dangerto an alreadyterrifyingterrifyinghome invasion, highlighting thesheer ruthlessnesssheer ruthlessnessof those involved.

The conviction and sentencing ofMansary and AsanteMansary and Asantesend aclear messageclear message—suchcallous disregard for human life and safety will be met with the full force of the lawcallous disregard for human life and safety will be met with the full force of the law.

Well, that’s all for now. But until our next article, please stay tuned, stay informed, but most of all stay safe, and I’ll see you then.Well, that’s all for now. But until our next article, please stay tuned, stay informed, but most of all stay safe, and I’ll see you then.

Bénédict Tarot FreemanBénédict Tarot Freeman

Editor-at-LargeEditor-at-Large

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