Gang of violent burglars who tied up couple at home jailed over ‘terrifying’ raid

Masked trio burst into house at night, punched victims in head and stole money

The gang were caught on camera as they forced their way into the house (Kent Police / SWNS)

A gang of burglars who broke into a couple’s home at night, tied them up and threatened them with knives have been jailed.

David Powell, 31, Baffour Amponsah, 32, and Alfie Taylor, 25, wore masks as they forced their way into a house in the early hours and demanded cash.

One of the men tied up the victims, punched them in the head and ordered them to lie face down on the bed while the other two raided the house in Gravesend, Kent, a court heard.

The two thieves made off with jewellery and cash before one of the victims managed to overpower the man holding them down. He pushed the burglar out of the bedroom, locked the door and called the police after the gang fled.

Police officers with a dog tracked the burglars to another property, where a woman tried to stop them entering and to set her dog on them.

Amponsah and Taylor were found hiding inside, one in a bed and the other in a wardrobe. Police seized jewellery and cash, as well as designer handbags and shoes. They also found about 40 cannabis plants being grown.

Both men admitted aggravated burglary. Amponsah, from Lewisham, was sentenced to nine years’ imprisonment, and Taylor, from Rotherhithe, was jailed for eight years.

Powell, from Gravesend, who was arrested three days later, denied aggravated burglary but was found guilty by a jury at Woolwich crown court and was sentenced to 11 years in prison.

Elizabeth Woods, 27, was charged with perverting the course of justice, permitting the production of cannabis, and possession of criminal property, and was sentenced to 15 months in prison.

Detective Constable Rebecca Ward, of Kent Police, said: “This was a violent burglary and an extremely terrifying ordeal for the victims.

“Not only were they threatened with knives and tied up, they were assaulted without being able to defend themselves.

“However, the bravery of one of those victims resulted in him being able to call us while the offenders were still in his home.

“This meant we were quickly at the scene and able to track Amponsah and Taylor to the address at Thong Lane.”

Additional reporting by SWNS