2011: Dudley men jailed for brutal pensioner attack

2011: DUDLEY MEN JAILED FOR BRUTAL PENSIONER ATTACK

TWO Dudley men who were masked when they brutally beat up a 68 year-old "vulnerable" pensioner, after breaking into his home, have been jailed for a total of 17 years.

Judge Michael Challinor told Brett Stanton and Matthew Warren the impact of the raid would stay with their victim for the "rest of his life." He said: "This man is now frightened to live in his own home for fear people like you will break in and take his money." Speaking at Wolverhampton Crown Court, the judge said it was a "determined" raid by the two men who got into the house and quickly found their way to the man's bedroom where he was sleeping, to get money to buy drugs.

The victim was then punched several times and the harm caused to him was "considerable." added the judge.

Further threats were made to get the pin number to his bank account and his card was then used to withdraw £300, the court was told.

Stanton, aged 29, of Dixons Green Road and 25 year-old Warren of St Johns Road, both admitted robbery and the judge ruled only substantial prison sentences were appropriate for the crime.

Stanton further admitted possessing heroin, a controlled drug, burgling another house in the Dudley area and theft.

The judge said he was satisfied Stanton was "dangerous" because he had proved with his record and the raid he was prepared to use violence towards vulnerable people to get drugs And he warned him that if he committed another serious crime on his release from prison there was no doubt he would be facing life imprisonment.

The judge jailed Stanton for 10 years and also extended his licence on his release by a further four years while Warren was sent to prison for seven years.

But Warren was also jailed for a further two years after he admitted being the organiser of gang racket to obtain over £33,000 from the Government's crisis loan scheme in a separate case.