Four men sentenced to 33 years for Loughton burglary
The gang, all from the Manchester area - armed themselves with knives and pepper spray
Four men have been sentenced to a total of 33 years in prison for a violent burglary that took place in Loughton. The burglary occurred on Queens Road at approximately 6:25 a.m. on July 21 of the previous year.
The group, armed with knives and pepper spray, forced their way into the residence. One occupant attempted to stop them but was sprayed with pepper spray. Another occupant who went outside to intervene was chased and assaulted. Witnesses reported seeing the men fleeing towards a dark grey Audi parked nearby. CCTV footage captured the group arriving and departing in the same vehicle.
The Audi was stopped around 9:00 a.m. on the M6 motorway between junctions 15 and 16. A search of the vehicle revealed a kitchen knife in the boot and a lock knife under a rear passenger seat.
Mohammed Fathi, 22, Bailey Ruscoe, 21, Peter Clegg, 20, and Kai Hurst, 20, were arrested at the scene. The clothing worn by Fathi, Ruscoe, and Hurst at the time of arrest matched that of the suspects in the CCTV footage. Fingerprints from Fathi, Ruscoe, and Hurst were also found at the crime scene.
Charges against the men included aggravated burglary, affray, aggravated burglary with intent, and possessing a knife or bladed article in a public place. Clegg faced an additional charge of driving without insurance. They all denied the charges but were found guilty of conspiracy to commit aggravated burglary following a three-week trial at Chelmsford Crown Court, which concluded on March 28.
Sentences were handed down on June 21. Hurst and Fathi received nine-year sentences each, while Ruscoe and Clegg were sentenced to seven and a half years each.
Detective Constable Alexander Cove of Loughton CID stated, “Kai Hurst, Mohammed Fathi, Bailey Ruscoe, and Peter Clegg all conspired together to break into a family home and attack the people inside. These four men had travelled to Loughton while armed, with the intent of getting into an address and using violence to do so. They carried out a frightening attack, which could have led to the victims being seriously injured.”
Cove also expressed gratitude to the West Midlands and Staffordshire Police for their assistance in the case, saying, "No-one should be left fearing for their safety in their own homes, and I'm glad we've been able to bring this group to justice."