Masked Thugs Raid Family Home in Terrifying Knife Siege
In the early hours of December 20th, police rushed to a flat on Crasswell Street after reports of a violent home invasion. A gang of balaclava-clad men forced their way in, brandishing serrated knives and terrorising the occupants.
Victims Bound and Threatened With Hot Iron
The gang tied up a man in his 50s, his two sons in their 20s, and a woman in her 20s using cable ties, packaging tape, and electrical cables. They threatened the family with a hot iron, demanding cash and jewellery.
One son suffered a deep slash wound to his face, leaving a permanent scar. After the attackers fled, the victims managed to free themselves and call emergency services.
Stolen Loot and Swift Police Action
- Watches, mobile phones, and trainers were stolen, with only a few items recovered.
- Police spotted a suspicious van linked to Essex soon after the attack.
- The van was pursued and stopped, leading to the arrest of four suspects.
Inside the van, officers found a victim’s coat, a stolen bank card, and balaclavas matching eyewitness descriptions.
Court Drama and Heavy Sentences
Levar Greaves, 29, Adebowale Adeduro Mafo, 37, Aaron Murray, 26, and Malakye Tomlin, 25, faced charges of aggravated burglary at portsmouth/" title="Portsmouth" data-wpil-keyword-link="linked">Portsmouth Crown Court. All initially pleaded not guilty.
Evidence included matching footwear and incriminating messages on a suspect’s phone planning the raid. After a 13-day trial, the jury found Greaves, Mafo, and Murray guilty of aggravated burglary unanimously. Tomlin was convicted of the lesser burglary charge, believed to have played a smaller role.
Yesterday, Greaves, Murray, and Mafo each received 11 years behind bars, with a minimum two-thirds term before parole eligibility. Tomlin got a Community Order requiring rehabilitation, 100 hours of unpaid work, and a victim surcharge.
“This was understandably a terrifying ordeal for the residents,” said Detective Constable Helen Carthew from Hampshire’s Eastern Major Crime Unit. “The planning involved and the quick police response prevented further harm. We hope this sentence helps victims move forward.”
“Violent crime will never be tolerated. We are committed to bringing offenders to justice.”
Victims Speak Out: “I Thought I Might Die”
Heartbreaking victim statements revealed the lingering trauma.
“I thought it was a dream at first, but this is terrible reality,” one victim said. “Every noise now sends me into panic. I was tied up in my underwear, feeling vulnerable and scared for my life. The mental scars are worse than the physical.”
This brutal raid has left a lasting mark on a family just trying to live in peace – but justice has finally caught up with the criminals behind it.
