Man jailed for late night raids across Glasgow and Lanarkshire
A thug who terrorised innocent victims in their homes during a series of late night raids across Glasgow and Lanarkshire has been jailed for 13 years.
A thug who terrorised innocent victims in their homes during a series of late night raids across Glasgow and Lanarkshire has been jailed for 13 years.
Sean Seawright targeted the properties in smart housing developments as he tried to get his hands on their expensive cars.
A jury heard evidence of petrified children in tears as Seawright stormed into houses.
During one incident, he and and accomplice claimed to be police armed with dangerous stun guns.
One couple were left so traumatised they sold their home after being raided.
Seawright was eventually snared and was today sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow.
He had been convicted of 18 charges including theft, assault and housebreaking.
Lady Stacey told him: “You stole cars and damaged property...you also terrified people who were in their own homes at night.
“You left people feeling frightened and stressed for many months afterwards.
“To me, you are a danger to the public.”
Seawright – who had denied the offences – will also be supervised for a further two years on his release.
The crimes took place over a number of days in late March and April last year.
Seawright – who already had a history of violence – was joined by an unknown accomplice.
Two homes in Crossford, South Lanarkshire, were initially targeted. Car keys were stolen from one of the properties.
Seawright then raided the luxury house of Mandeep and Pritpal Hoonjan in Robroyston, Glasgow.
Mr Hoonan remembered hearing “rummaging” downstairs as he lay in bed.
As he went to investigate, he shone a torch and was met with yells of “armed police”.
The 45 year-old recalled the ordeal: “My first thought was to get my child out of the way. I wanted to make sure of the welfare of my family.
“I locked my wife and child in the bathroom. My daughter was crying and my wife was panicky.
“I immediately called the police.”
The witness said the “threatening” intruders stole his wife's Volkswagen Golf.
The court heard the family have since sold their home – and Mr Hoonan has even sold his own Audi motor fearing they could be targeted again.
He said his wife was left “absolutely distraught” adding: “It's just been a very difficult time until we managed to move house.”
Steven Stewart was the next victim after his home in Cumbernauld, North Lanarkshire was picked.
The raiders shouted: “Police...we have tasers and we will used them.”
The witness said there was so much noise, his house sounded “like a football stadium”.
Seawright managed to help steal Mr Stewart's Mercedes vehicle.
He was then part of a masked raid at a house in nearby Kilsyth.
Kevin Coyle's door was repeatedly battered with a hammer as he pleaded: “You have got the wrong house – you have the wrong people.”
Mr Coyle installed CCTV and an alarm following his family's ordeal.
He told the court: “It is just not the same house any more.”
Seawright went on to steal an Audi from a property in Kirkintilloch, East Dunbartonshire.
Gordon and Carol Anne Stevenson were the next victims. In the driveway were the couple's £35,000 Volkswagen Golf and £20,000 Renault.
Seawright and his accomplice threatened to stab and shoot the couple.
A distressed Mrs Stevenson said: “The glass in the front door ended up smashed.
“The noise was horrendous. I thought they must have mistaken identity, but I thought they were coming to get us.”
The mum said she still suffers flashbacks as she went on: “It has taken a long time to get over it. It has been really tough.”
Seawright was then part of a similar attack on Garry Gallagher's home in the town.
Armed with a crowbar and a hammer, he stole a Volkswagen car from the property.
But, following a police chase, Seawright was snared in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire.
Despite later being freed on high court bail, he was part of one more terrifying raid.
Last December, Seawright teamed up with John McAuley (30) and James Muirhead (19) to storm a house in Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire.
Victim Brian Lamb was stabbed before sporty Volkswagen Golf R and £500 cash was stolen.
Prosecutor Shanti Maguire said Seawright was guilt of “escalating violence” showing “indifference” to the victims.
She added there had been “fear and intimidation instilled in people in their own homes.”
McAuley was today jailed for six years and Muirhead locked up for five years after they were convicted for their roles in the attack on Mr Lamb.
McAuley will supervised for a further three years on his release with Muirhead monitored for 18 months.