Gang smashed into house of mother-of-two with sledgehammer

Jamie Keegan, of Thirsk Avenue, committed the crimes alongside accomplices Conrad Peter-Strachan and Jason Ryan in Wilmslow.

According to Cheshire Police, the gang arrived on Primrose Way on the evening of November 16 last year and smashed into a house with a sledgehammer. This alerted the occupant, a mother of two, who ran to her neighbour for assistance.

The neighbour tried to stop them but Keegan and Peter-Strachan stole his watch in response.

The police tracked the trio thanks to DNA on the sledgehammer which was discovered at the scene and DNA in a Mini Cooper which was discovered afterwards.

They arrested the trio between January 4 and January 26 and this week they were all sentenced at Chester Crown Court.

Keegan, 40, was sentenced to seven years and nine months after admitting burglary, robbery and handling stolen goods.

Peter-Strachan, 38, was sentenced to seven years and nine months after admitting burglary, robbery and handling stolen goods.

And Ryan, 36, was sentenced to 16 months after he admitted burglary, driving while disqualified and driving while uninsured.

PC Natalie Palin, of Cheshire Police, said: "This was a terrifying ordeal for the victim who was at home with her two children when these three men targeted the address, somewhere she should have felt safe.

"While the victim and her children will never be able to forget what happened that night, I do hope the fact the offenders are now behind bars will provide them with some reassurance.

"Cheshire has one of the highest charge rates for burglary in the UK, and we’re committed to doing all we can to ensure those responsible are held to justice.

"As this case demonstrates, if you come to Cheshire to commit crime, there really is nowhere you can hide, and we will go to the ends of the country to ensure you are held accountable." 

This article was written by Jack Tooth. To contact him, email jack.tooth@newsquest.co.uk or follow @JTRTooth on Twitter.