Trio jailed after 80-year-old woman hit with iron bar in Welwyn Garden City burglary

Clinton Jackson Archant

Three men involved in a burglary which saw an 80-year-old woman hit in the face with an iron bar have been jailed.

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Marvin Semper Marvin Semper

Today (Thursday), the Old Bailey heard the victim has been unable to return to her home in Westly Wood, Welwyn Garden City, after four masked men raided it.

Today Clinton Jackson, 25, was jailed for 18 years.

And Marvin Semper, 30, and his brother Jermaine Kellman, 29, were sentenced to 13 years in prison.

A fourth man, Darren Lewis, 34, is set to be sentenced on April 24.

Jermaine Kellman Jermaine Kellman

The four burgled the home at 2am on July 31 last year.

They walked into her bedroom as she slept, and placed a hand over her mouth, and hit her face with an iron bar.

The men demanded to know where her money was, and for her to reveal her PIN numbers.

They escaped with a small amount of cash and drove to Penge in South London.

The thieves attempted to withdraw cash using the stolen bank cards but were unsuccessful.

Their victim suffered minor injuries to her face.

After today’s hearing, Det Sgt Pete Hankins said: “This incident has left the victim devastated - it’s had a massive impact on her.

“Tragically, she’s been unable to return to her home since it happened, is constantly fearful and has lost all trust in anyone, including those close to her.”

And he continued: “I’m very pleased with the sentences given today.

“During his summing up Judge Gullick commented that this was a serious case of aggravated burglary as is possible to imagine.

“He also said that it was a case of particular gravity outside the normal range of sentencing for a category one offence.

“They will now have a long time to consider their actions that night and the impact they have had on their victim.”

For reporter Alex Lewis’ full report from the Old Bailey, see next week’s Welwyn Hatfield Times, on sale from Wednesday.