Man jailed over violent robbery on terrified pensioner in her own home

Barry Gibson was one of a gang of three men who targeted the 72-year-old woman’s bungalow to steal her handbag, Bradford Crown Court heard today.

He pushed his way into her home at 8pm on August 15 last year, followed by an accomplice who grabbed the pensioner by the arms and seized her in a headlock.

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The third member of the robbery team kept lookout, prosecutor Carmel Pearson said.

Gibson, 52, of Holme Wood Road, Bradford, pleaded guilty on the day of his trial to robbing the woman of her handbag and contents.

The court heard that he had 49 previous convictions for 158 offences, including 22 house break-ins.

Miss Pearson said the pensioner was on the phone to her daughter when Gibson came knocking and she opened the door.

She was terrified when he jammed his foot in the door and shoved his way in, with his hooded accomplice hard on his heels.

Gibson, who was shouting at the woman to calm down, seized her handbag containing her purse and keys, while the second man restrained her. The pensioner managed to grapple her way out of the back door where she fell on the steps.

All this time, her daughter was still on the phone, listening to her mother being assaulted. She alerted a neighbour and they immediately drove the short distance to the bungalow in time to see Gibson making off with the bag.

The neighbour jumped on Gibson and detained him until the police arrived. Gibson, who sustained a cut to the head, was taken to hospital before making a “no comment” interview.

Miss Pearson said that the robbers may have targeted the bungalow because of the disability ramp and handrail. They must have known it was the home of a vulnerable person with mobility problems.

In her victim personal statement, the pensioner, who walks with a stick, said she could no longer sleep at night and was afraid of every noise.

She had previously been strong and independent but that had been destroyed. A neighbour now had to accompany her to hang out the washing she was so afraid.

The pensioner suffered neck pain from being seized in a headlock and severe psychological and emotional harm, the court was told.

Gibson’s solicitor advocate, John Bottomley, said his client suffered from anxiety and claustrophobia and found travelling in the prison van very stressful.

He did not attack the pensioner himself but seized her bag and fled the property very quickly.

Gibson, who also suffered with depression and paranoia, was deeply ashamed of the robbery and on medication while on remand in prison, Mr Bottomley said.

Judge Colin Burn jailed Gibson for six years and four months for the “vicious” robbery.

He said: “It must have been obvious to anybody looking at that house from the outside that it was for someone disabled or less well abled.”

Judge Burn told Gibson: “You have an appalling record for dishonesty and a bad record for violence and both of these came together on the 15th of August last year.”

After the case, Detective Constable Paul Maxwell, of Bradford District CID, said:

“We welcome today’s outcome and hope it will give the victim some closure to what was a very distressing incident for her.

“We would also like to take this opportunity to ask the public for their help in identifying the male in this image, as we are keen to speak to him about this investigation.”

“If you can assist please contact Bradford District CID on 101, quoting crime reference 13180406076, or use the live chat facility on the West Yorkshire Police website.

“Information can also be reported anonymously to the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.”