RYAN GIBSON AND CIARAN LAMBERT SENTENCED IN BEDFORDSHIRE FOR VIOLENT BURGLARY AND ASSAULT

Ryan Gibson, born circa 1991 and of Farley Hill, Luton, and Ciaran Lambert, born around 1998, recently of Pleasant Place, Islington but originally from Flitwick, Bedford, were convicted in 2022 for a brutal attack that included stabbing a dog and its owner, then hitting them both with a hammer.

Gibson and Lambert were jailed after being found guilty of aggravated burglary and grievous bodily harm related to the violent incident in May 2019. It was initially reported that at least one of the offenders faced charges for causing unnecessary suffering to the dog, but this charge appears to have been dropped, and neither offender was banned from owning animals.

The attack occurred at approximately 5:45 a.m. at the victim’s home in Flitwick, where both he and his dog, Blue, were attacked with knives and struck with a hammer. Blue survived the injuries. Despite suffering life-threatening chest wounds, the injured victim was able to provide officers with the identities of his attackers and suggested that the assault was linked to a small debt.

Neighbours heard the sound of glass smashing followed by screams and shouts. They found the victim severely injured at the foot of his flat’s stairs. Witnesses noted that the victim was more concerned about his injured dog, which had sustained two injuries, than his own condition. Several neighbours identified the vehicle used by the offenders.

Later that morning, police officers located the same car at a property in Farley Hill, Luton. Armed officers raided the property and arrested Gibson and Lambert. During the search, authorities found several bags of cannabis and a balaclava similar to one described by the victim as worn by one of the attackers.

Both the victim and his dog received emergency medical treatment and ultimately survived their injuries. During a two-week trial held in May, the jury heard that one of the offenders filmed themselves boasting about the attack. Additionally, it was revealed that items had been stolen from the victim’s home.

Following sentencing, Detective Constable Rebecca Crowley, who led the investigation, stated: “The neighbours’ swift action in calling the ambulance ultimately saved the life of the victim and his dog.”

Gibson was sentenced to 11 years for aggravated burglary, with an extended three-year license on release, and also received a concurrent nine-year sentence for grievous bodily harm with intent. Lambert was sentenced to eight years for aggravated burglary and a concurrent six-year term for grievous bodily harm with intent.

This case was reported by Bedford Today.