Men Face Jail After Women Seriously Injured During Burglary
12 March 2013, 16:27
Two men are facing jail sentences after an aggravated burglary at a home in Cambridge Road in Lowestoft where two women were seriously injured.
It happened in Lowestoft in the early hours of Monday 27 August last year where two women were seriously injured.
A jury at Ipswich Crown Court this afternoon, Tuesday 12 March, found Leslie Colvin, 31, of London Road South, guilty of aggravated burglary and two counts of GBH.
Alan Harwood, 30, of High Street, Lowestoft, had pleaded guilty to the offences as the trial was about to start.
Both are remanded in custody to be sentenced at a later date.
Police were initially called by a member of the public to reports of a disturbance at the mid-terrace home and on arrival officers found the front door smashed in. They then discovered a 47-year-old woman and a 28-year-old woman, both with serious injuries, in a back room at the address, and an ambulance was called.
At 2.35am there had been a bang on the door, waking the occupants and the two offenders – one wearing a black balaclava, the other with something resembling a white pillowcase over his face – had forced their way into the property by breaking the door down.
Both women had then been viciously assaulted – the 47-year-old repeatedly struck around the head and the younger woman repeatedly hit with a crowbar. Gold jewellery and a handbag were handed over before both men left via the front door.
The 47-year-old was left with life threatening injuries including a fractured skull and a bleed on the brain, while the 28-year-old sustained a broken arm and head wounds. Both were initially taken to the James Paget hospital but the 47-year-old was later transferred to Addenbrookes.
From the information passed to police, officers began enquiries to trace the two involved, quickly identified as Colvin and Harwood, and to gather evidence to prosecute them.
Harwood was arrested a day later on August 28 while Colvin, who was known to the women, was arrested on September 6 after being circulated as wanted for the crime.
Detective Chief Inspector Steve Mattin, senior investigating officer in the case, said he was pleased Colvin had been found guilty.
“This was a nasty and vicious attack in the early hours of the morning on two defenceless women in their own home. While the incident was not random, it was shocking in its severity and it is only due to luck and the skill of medical staff that the 47-year-old woman survived.
“I would like to thank the officers who investigated this crime and members of the community who helped us gather sufficient evidence to secure this result, and pay tribute to the strength of character of the victims, who bravely gave their account to ensure Colvin’s conviction.”