Men jailed for armed raid on child’s party

Nov 17 2007 by Chloe Griffiths, The Journal

A SEVEN-YEAR-OLD girl begged an armed raider for her mother’s life after he stormed a child’s birthday party.

The youngster pleaded to Robert Clark “don’t kill my mammy” after he burst into the house in Cramlington wielding a three-foot machete.

Newcastle Crown Court heard the 32-year-old had forced his way into the party on Loughrigg Avenue in Cramlington in a bid to confront his former partner, Ashleigh Lamb.

Wielding the weapon, he threatened to kill Ms Lamb in front of her terrified daughter.

Rachel Curry, prosecuting said: “Robert Clark came to the house armed with a three-foot machete.

“He was shouting at her (Ms Lamb) and making threats to kill her. Her seven-year-old daughter said ‘Don’t kill my mammy’. He repeated the threats, but was pushed out of the house by Ashleigh Lamb.”

The court heard Clark, of Esher Place in Cramlington, had bombarded Ms Lamb with phone calls on the day of the attack on July 28.

But she had decided not to listen to any further abuse and had turned her mobile off, choosing instead to enjoy herself with her daughters, aged three and seven, at the party.

But the court heard Clark soon turned up at the house, where there were eight children, wielding his weapon and accompanied by Keith Johnson, who was also armed with a large carving knife.

Sentencing Clark to 12 months in prison, Judge Tim Hewitt said: “Robert Clark you forced your way into the house.

“You terrified everyone that was present including young children.

“It was a terrifying and distressing event for all those present, to see two men armed with a knife.

“Robert Clark, you threatened to kill Ashleigh Lamb in the presence of one of her young children.”

The court heard Ms Lamb managed to push Clark out of the house, where his younger accomplice Johnson, of Exeter Close in Cramlington, was waiting.

Other men tried to intervene, but as one shouted at Clark to put the knife away, he began to chase him, before turning his attention back to Ms Lamb.

Ms Curry said: “There was a further struggle. She fell to the ground, hurting her hand and neck. Children were screaming and crying.”

When the police arrived, both men had disappeared.

Clark was found hiding in a garden nearby, but refused to answer any questions in interview, while Johnson approached officers saying, “I think you are looking for me”.

The 21-year-old admitted being outside the party, but denied being abusive.

Both men pleaded guilty to affray.

Tom Finch, defending Clark, said: “I accept this was a terrifying incident both in relation to the adults and the children. However, the machete was never used.”

But Judge Hewitt insisted both men deserved a custodial sentence.

Sentencing Johnson to nine months, he said: “This is far too serious to justify anything other a custodial sentence.”