A GANG of robbers who targeted elderly people in their homes will spend longer behind bars after Solicitor General Robert Buckland QC MP referred their original sentences to the Court of Appeal as unduly lenient.

Between the 1st and 4th May 2017, the gang of 5, led by Gerald McCann, 23, committed a series of robberies against elderly victims, specifically targeting them because of their vulnerability. The men used force against the victims upon entering the houses. In one case, an 80 year old man was struck on the head with a metal coffee pot. Valuable items of jewellery and money were taken from the properties.

The attacks occurred in Gomersal and Batley.

McCann, who was 22 at the time, was convicted of robbery and possession of a prohibited article at Leeds

Crown Court last November. He was jailed for eight years and four months. The Court of Appeal agreed the sentence was too low and increased it to 10 years and four months.

The rest of the gang were sentenced to time in a young offenders’ institute. The second offender, who was 18 at the time, received six years and nine months. His sentence has been increased to seven years eight months.

The third offender, who was 17 at the time, received five years and four months, his sentence has been increased to six years six months.

The forth offender, who was 15 at the time, received four years, his sentence has been increased to five years.

The fifth offender who was also 15, received four years and four months, his sentence has been increased to five years three months.

Speaking after the hearing, the Solicitor General said: “This group of young men purposely set out to target vulnerable and elderly people. Many lives have been affected by their actions, and some of the victims no longer feel safe in their own homes. The Court’s decision to increase these sentences show that crimes of this nature will not be tolerated.”