Police vow to catch Pattingham house raiders

Three men still at large after carrying out a terrifying robbery at the home of a wealthy couple in Shropshire five months ago will be caught and brought to justice, police vowed today.

Detectives made the pledge after car valeter Nathan McDonald was jailed for nearly 10 years at Shrewsbury Crown Court yesterday.

He had admitted his part in the robbery at a luxury barn conversion in Lower Rudge, Pattingham, owned at the time by self-made businessman Richard Barnfather and his fiancee Deborah Leadbetter.

Top-of-the-range cars and jewellery worth nearly £350,000 were taken as the couple were tied up and beaten.

Police think four masked men committed the robbery but only McDonald, who was not the ringleader or the one who brandished a fake gun, has faced justice.

But Detective Inspector Mark Bellamy, leading the investigation for West Mercia Police, said a dedicated team of officers was still working hard to find the other robbers.

He revealed a 22-year-old man from Wolverhampton was arrested on suspicion of conspiracy to rob on Tuesday in connection with the incident and has since been bailed pending further enquiries.

Two other men, aged 48 and 17 and also from the Wolverhampton area, were arrested but released without charge.

Mr Bellamy: "The investigation is still very much live and we remain determined to bring to justice the other people involved.

"That investigation will continue until we have exhausted all available lines of enquiry.

"We would also like to remind people of a £14,000 reward for information leading to a successful conviction of those responsible.

"A number of members of the public have already given us useful information and we would like to thank them for doing so."

McDonald's barrister told Shrewsbury Crown Court his client had refused to name his fellow robbers for fear his family would be targeted while he was in prison.

• See more reaction in today's Shropshire Star