2 days ago
Sick robbers who broke into war veteran's home and threatened him with a knife before taking off with his MEDALS are jailed
A pair of robbers who broke into the home of a vulnerable war veteran and threatened him with a knife before stealing his medals have been jailed.
Peter Ratcliffe, 48, and Ann Marie Simpson, 38, broke into the pensioner's accommodation in South Shields in July 2023.
They pushed the elderly man to the floor and threatened him with a knife before stealing his prized possessions including his bank cards, his passport and his wedding ring. The robbers also made off with the veteran's war medals.
The victim was not left with any serious injuries but was extremely shaken and traumatised from the robbery, a court heard.
Ratcliffe and Simpson were identified by CCTV and were arrested just hours later.
Officers found clothing which matched the outfits being warn by the robbers on the CCTV footage, Chronicle Live reported.
They were both charged with robbery and remanded into custody the following day.
Earlier this year, both pleaded guilty at Newcastle Crown Court.
Ann Marie Simpson, 38, was sentenced to five years and four months imprisonment after pleading guilty to robbery and witness intimidation
Simpson also admitted one count of witness intimidation after she sent a letter to the victim telling him to drop the charges against them.
On Friday, both were both jailed at a sentencing hearing at Newcastle Crown Court.
Ratcliffe, of Trinity Walk, South Shields, was sentenced to seven years and four months behind bars.
Simpson, of Johnson Street, also South Shields, was sentenced to five years and four months imprisonment.
Both were given a ten-year restraining order, preventing them from contacting the victim.
Sergeant Kimberley Ball, of Northumbria Police said: 'This was a cruel and targeted attack on an elderly man in his own home – because of his vulnerabilities.
'I want to thank the victim for his patience and courage throughout this entire process, which I know has been extremely difficult.
'I have no doubt the streets of South Tyneside are safer now these two criminals are behind bars where they belong.'
