Two jailed for 17 years after attempted armed robbery in Norwich
A third person has been handed a Youth Rehabilitation Order
Two men have been jailed for a total of more than 17 years with a third given a Youth Rehabilitation Order after attempting to force their way into a property in Norwich while a family were inside.
Nile Mustafa, 30, of Rosary Road, Ricardo Monteiro, 20, of Heathgate, Piers Ewens, 18, of St Margarets Drive, all from Norwich appeared at Norwich Crown Court on Friday (18 October 2024) to be sentenced for their part in an attempted aggravated burglary that left the householders in ‘fear for their lives’.
Mustafa previously pleaded guilty to attempted aggravated burglary, possession of an imitation firearm with intent to cause a fear of violence, possession of a prohibited weapon, and possession of a prohibited weapon as a prohibited person.
Both Ewens and Montiero pleaded guilty to attempted aggravated burglary.
The court heard how police were called to reports that four men - including Mustafa, Ewens and Monteiro – arrived at a property in Music House Lane in Norwich on the afternoon of 17 October 2023 and tried to kick down the door.
A family were inside the address including the householder, his partner and two young children and the court heard they were left fearing they would be killed. The householder had to hold the door to stop them entering the address. The men left shortly after police were called.
Officers arrived on scene and searched the area and there was no trace of the suspects. Police were able to piece together and view the entire incident on CCTV, which showed Ewens trying to pry open the door with a crowbar while the others take turns in trying to kick the door down.
Mustafa was later identified as one of the suspects in the background holding something that looks a short-barrelled weapon.
The initial attempt by Ewens to open the door with the crowbar was unsuccessful and he then turns his back to the door and kicks it hard multiple times before trying to enter again with the crowbar.
Mustafa, the firearm clearly visible in his right hand, then approaches the door and kicks it three times as Ewens jams the crowbar into the door. They still fail to gain access.
The victim describes barricading the door, the court hears he was feeling petrified and scared for his life and his family’s life. He described the intent demonstrated by the group made him believe they were there to kill him and his partner.
Mustafa then retreats, resorting to banging the kitchen window with the butt of the firearm. Montiero approaches and directs violent donkey kicks to the door himself. A fourth suspect then reveals himself – a masked figure partially looking around the corner of the flat landing.
Mustafa bangs the butt of the firearm on the kitchen window a further three times before the group retreat.
Crime scene investigators found a DNA sample on the window, which showed a positive match to Mustafa.
Mustafa was arrested on 17 November 2023 by armed police. He was seen disposing of a firearm from the window of the property, which was later recovered and found to contain ammunition. This was forensically analysed and found to be a viable and lethal short-barrelled weapon with three separate rounds, one being in the barrel with the hammer cocked back, indicating the weapon was ready to fire. Mustafa was remanded to prison pending a trial.
Ewens and Montiero were both arrested on 13 December 2023 and searches of their addresses conducted during which key evidence was recovered. Montiero was remanded to prison pending a trial, and Ewens was remanded into the care of the local authority.
During sentencing, Judge Ainsley described Mustafa as a serious risk to the public, imposing an extended consecutive sentence for both the attempted aggravated burglary and later possession of the firearm. He was sentenced to 13 years imprisonment and must serve a minimum of 10 years prior to release.
Montiero was sentenced to 4 years and 9 months imprisonment. Ewens was found to have made great progress since his time on remand into the care of the local authority. He was sentenced to an 18-month Youth Rehabilitation Order, with an additional curfew and unpaid work requirement.