Woman left traumatised after Sunderland pair's terrifying crime spree

A 71-year-old woman came under attack when intruders smashed their way into a family home during a terrifying overnight crime spree.

One of the raiders put his hands around the victim's throat and her adult son was hit with a vodka bottle, punched and kicked.

Newcastle Crown Court heard the family had been disturbed by noises and saw a glass panel in their front door being smashed in, followed by an arm reaching through to the key to unlock it.

Serial criminals Liam Howden and Jack Locke, who had already targeted and terrified another householder nearby, then burst into the house, in Sunderland.

Prosecutor Neil Pallister told the court the mum and son were pushed from the hallway into the living room, while Howden swung a bottle of vodka he was carrying.

The son was then hit over the head with the bottle and punched.

Mr Pallister said: "She recalls the second male (Locke) shouting 'give me the money', several times. He said if she didn't give him the money he would cut her son's throat.

"Howden began kicking the son in the ribs and caused him to shout out in piain.

"She states the second male, Locke, put his hands around her throat, shouting at her to give him the money and car keys.

"She told him she didn't have a car or money."

The court heard the pair made off with jewellery and a handbag from the sofa and despite the victim "begging" for it back, they made off with £280 in cash.

They gave her back the bag, which contained her purse and £20.

The woman said she was left "petrified", no longer feels safe in the house that has been her home for more than 50 years and the whole family is still traumatised and on edge.

Shortly before the house was targeted, Howden and Locke had been at another property where a woman was also woken up by banging noises.

When she looked out she saw the two men outside.

Howden admitted he kicked at the victim's front door.

Mr Pallister added: "Locke came right up to her bedroom window. The window was slightly open.

"Locke pushed open the window with his right hand and banged on the wall. He was being aggressive and shouting 'give me the ******* car keys or I will kill you'.

"She was terrified he would get in and hurt her."

The court heard the victim was too scared to even reach for her phone to contact the police and said afterwards: "I honestly believe he would have killed me if he got in."

Howden, 26, of no fixed address, and Locke, 20, of Gladstone Street, Sunderland, both admitted robbery and assault in relation to the family home that was raided.

Howden admitted attempted burglary and Locke admitted attempted robbery in relation to the attack on the woman's home.

They both admitted burglary at a house earlier that same evening last June, where a television, personal belongings and the fobs to two cars, which were also stolen, were taken.

They also pleaded guilty to burglary at Asda, where they stole alcohol after sneaking into and out of the store through a staff door last March.

Howden admitted an unrelated charge of outraging public decency in relation to him urinating while walking up and down a street in the city.

Howden was jailed for a total of nine years and four months. Locke was jailed for eight years.

Tony Cornberg, defending Howden, said the pair weren't deliberately targeting anyone and added: "This man used crack cocaine and alcohol daily."

Mr Cornberg said Howden has mental health issues and has completed educational courses while on remand.

Sue Hirst, defending Locke, said he is motivated to change and added: "He is utterly ashamed of his behaviour."