Leeds robber part of masked gang that brutally assaulted pensioner in his own home and threatened to kill him with screwdriver

The 74-year-old victim was repeatedly punched in the face as he was marched around his house in Batley and ordered to tell the robbers where his valuables were.

Joshua Sharp, 24, from Leeds, was given an extended prison sentence of more than 14 years over the "cowardly" attack on August 27 last year.

Sharp was also part of a group of criminals that targeted homes in Lower Mickletown, near Leeds, and Ilkley in which they stole high value cars and jewellery.

Leeds Crown Court heard the robbery victim was having lunch at home when he noticed two men standing outside the property near to his Mercedes which was parked outside.

He went outside and the two men walked away.

The victim returned to his property and saw a masked man inside his home.

The two other men then entered the property and the victim was attacked.

Louise Gallagher, prosecutor, said the masked robber held a screwdriver against the man's stomach, throat and over his heart.

He was told he would be killed unless they told them where he kept his money.

Ms Gallagher said the victim was marched around the house and was ordered to open a safe.

His gold watch was taken from his wrist.

Jewellery and a medal which belonged to the victim's grandfather was also taken.

The pensioner was punched in the face and told he would be killed if he told police about the robbery.

The men left but returned moments later as the victim was dialling 999.

They repeated the threat to kill him if he contacted police then drove away in his Mercedes and Jaguar cars.

The court heard Sharp was involved in a burglary at a family home on Kings Road, Ilkley, on August 26.

Patio doors were smashed shortly after the family had left the house to go for a walk.

Jewellery was stolen along with keys to a BMW which was driven away by the gang.

The following day, two hours before the robbery in Batley, the home of an 83-year-old widow was targeted on Lower Mickletown.

Keys to a Dacia Sandero car were stolen and the car was driven away.

A further burglary was committed on Curly Hill, Ilkley, on August 30 in which a BMW was stolen.

The vehicle was later recovered and had been fitted with false number plates.

Sharp was recognised from CCTV footage of the offence.

He was linked to the robbery after the BMW stolen in the first burglary was found abandoned close to the house in Batley.

Forensic evidence inside the vehicle identified him as a suspect.

Sharp, of St Lukes Green, Beeston, pleaded guilty to robbery, three offences of burglary and three offences of theft.

He has previous convictions for robbery, violence and burglary dating back to when he was 15 years old.

Ms Gallagher read a victim statement to the court on behalf of the robbery victim.

He described how he had suffered nightmares since the incident and felt frightened in his own home.

The victim of the first burglary offence described how he felt "nauseous with rage" as his children could have been at home at the time the house was being ransacked.

Denise Breen-Lawton, mitigating, said Sharp accepted he would be facing a long prison sentence.

She added: "He would like to meet the (robbery) victim face to face and say that he is sorry."

Sharp was given an extended prison totalling 14 years and six months after Judge Geoffrey Marson QC said he considered the defendant to pose a serious risk to the public.

He must serve a custodial term of ten years and six months followed by an extended licence period of four years.

The judge told Sharp: "Two of you punched a 74-year-old man to the face in what can only be described as the actions of cowards.

"Threats were made to kill him, he was marched around the house and jewellery and his grandfather's medal was stolen.

"What a mean and nasty thing that was to do.

"You have, by your previous convictions, shown yourself to be streetwise and a career criminal."