Raid terror pair jailed

Two Telford men who broke into a house in the middle of the night and robbed a man and his elderly mother were today jailed for a total of more than 16 years.

Anthony Wiggan and Jolam Hall smashed a window of Telford coal merchant Robin Wilkinson's home in Wellington Road, Muxton, before attacking him as he lay in his bed.

Mr Wilkinson's mother Irene Wilkinson, who was 80 at the time, came out of her room after hearing the noise but was confronted by the masked pair who marched her back into her room.

Wiggan, 24, of Spring Hill Crescent, Madeley, and Hall, 23, of Mannerley Lane, Overdale, denied robbery but were convicted in September. Today Hall was jailed for nine years and Wiggan for seven-and-a-half years by a judge at Shrewsbury Crown Court.

Judge Nicholas Mitchell said the public had to know severe sentences would be given to people who targeted people, particularly the elderly, in their homes.

He added: "It is a terrible offence you have committed. You are both intelligent young men. You chose to behave like this. You must accept the punishment."

Stephen Cadwaladr, prosecuting, said the men wore balaclavas and gloves during the raid in November last year.

Mr Cadwaladr said Mr Wilkinson was att- acked with a table leg and threatened with being cut with a knife as he lay in his bed.

He said Mrs Wilkinson came into her son's room but was ushered back to her own room where she had jewellery stolen. More than £1,000 in cash and an ornamental elephant were also taken. Mr Cadwaladr said the elderly woman now felt unsafe in the house in which she had lived for many years.

Mark Sharman, for Wiggan, said his client admitted his involvement. Earl Pinnock, for Hall, said he was genuinely remorseful.

By Iain St John