Shropshire stud farm armed raider has his jail term cut
A burglar who was jailed for eight years for his part in a "terrifying" armed raid on a Shropshire stud farm has had his sentence reduced – just days after it was handed out.
Craig Forrest was one of four men who smashed their way into the remote 60-acre Redhill Stud Farm in Sherrifhales, near Shifnal, in the early hours.
One of the burglars attacked homeowner Justin Kitson with a hammer, leaving him with a two-inch gash to his head which required 15 stitches. They eventually fled empty-handed.
Forrest, 36, of Church Parade, Oakengates, Telford, was sentenced to eight years in prison by Judge Peter Barrie at Shrewsbury Crown Court on Friday.
He received six months more than his co-accused – David Jones, 31, of Freeston Avenue, St Georges; Keith Nevin, 32, of Westmoreland Mews, Leegomery and Nathan Elliot, 31, of Smallhill Road, Lawley Village, all Telford – who were sentenced to seven-and-a-half years each.
Judge Barrie said the fact it was Forrest who knew about the remote location, having been friendly with a stable girl there and having visited before, warranted his more severe term.
But at Shrewsbury Crown Court yesterday, the judge did an about turn and reduced the sentence in line with his co-accused.
Judge Barrie said: "I have reflected on the sentence I imposed on you on Friday for the offence that you committed. I remain firmly of the view you deserved the sentence I imposed.
"I recognise that as things turned out I dealt you a more serious sentence than all of your colleagues.
"On reflection there may well have been other factors that might have had an aggravating effect, but the fact is we don't know about them.
"So I have to take a different approach. You have stayed out of trouble for a number of years.
"I reduce it to the same that applies to your co-accused."
The four men were stopped by police on the slip road to junction 6 of the M54 a short time after the 1am burglary on July 1 last year, the court was told.
A claw hammer and knives were found in the car, which had also set off ANPR technology in Albrighton at 1.20am.
Judge Barrie said the men had pleaded guilty on the basis of joint responsibility and it "mattered not" who had attacked Mr Kitson.
