Armed raiders attack couple in own home
Oct 2 2008 by Paul Loraine, The Journal
A TERRIFIED couple were robbed at gunpoint after masked raiders broke into their Durham home. Two men, one with a gun and one with a knife, forced entry to the house in South Fields, Stanley, County Durham, shortly before 9pm on Tuesday.
The married couple, believed to be in their mid-40s, were threatened with the weapons and punched before the men made off with cash. Police yesterday appealed for witnesses to come forward as they tried to find the robbers.
Acting Detective Inspector Tony Dumighan said: “This was a nasty, vicious attack which has left this couple badly shaken and it is imperative that we trace the people responsible.”
The raiders, who were dressed in dark clothing, ran off towards South Moor, possibly in the direction of some woods.
Det Insp Dumighan said he wanted to hear from anyone who was in the South Fields area between 8.30pm-9.30pm.
“They may have seen people hanging about acting suspiciously.
“They may have seen people running away or heard a disturbance taking place.
“The couple were, it appears, deliberately targeted and there will be people in Stanley who will know what has gone on. We need to speak to these people.”
The attacked couple were too upset to speak to the media yesterday, but neighbours expressed concerns over the violent robbery on their estate.
Joseph Gordon, 70, a retired factory worker living nearby, said: “It’s happening all over the country – it’s terrible. But it’s more worrying when it’s happening here.
“My wife and I have enough to think about without this going on. These people don’t carry weapons for no reason.”
Another woman, who did not want to be named, said: “To think it might have been us, it’s really scary. I saw the police cars screeching in there after it happened.
“I’m just glad they’re okay. It could have been so much worse, all the violent things you hear about these days.”
Anyone with information can contact police on 0345 6 06-0365 or Crimestoppers on (0800) 555111.
