Terror knife raider jailed for seven years

5:06pm Wednesday 23rd January 2008

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A BURGLAR who threat-ened a family with a six-inch knife during a terrifying raid has been jailed for seven years.

And the judge praised the victims who run the Shajan Restaurant, Longsight Road, Clayton-le-Dale, for their bravery after tackling Rupon Miah and his four fellow raiders.

He also gave the son, who smashed a guitar over one of the burglar's heads, a £500 reward from the public purse for his "exemplary courage".

Restaurateur Mohammed Ali put up a struggle to stop his mouth being gagged during the incident in July.

His wife Johandra Begum shouted for their son Zubair, 21, as attempts were made to muffle her cries.

Zubair used the guitar and the burglars desperately smashed their way out of the detached property behind the restaurant, Preston Crown Court was told.

Miah, 21, of Neath Street, Westwood, Oldham, was jailed after pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary.

The other four burglars remain at large.

Judge Anthony Russell QC, the Recorder of Preston, said: "This must have been a truly terrifying incident for the family of Mr Ali.

"It seems to me that all members of this family showed exemplary courage in this incident, particularly Zubair Ali who really deserves a special mention.

"It was really his intervention that was the turning point in what took place."

The court was told that Mr Ali's wife and two adult children were in bed when he finished work on July 28. Mr Ali was sat down in his locked premises when suddenly confronted by the men rushing towards him.

Bob Elias, prosecuting, said the intruders were wearing dark clothing, their faces covered by jackets and clothing, had gloves on and one had a six-inch bladed knife. The weapon was then held to Mr Ali's chest and stabbing motions made.

Two of the men tried to restrain him in his seat.

Mr Elias said: "He thought he was going to be stabbed. Their intention was to gag him by taping over his mouth, the tape having been brought with them.

"Mr Ali bravely struggled so that the tape could not stick. He wriggled and fell to the floor, but was again restrained and overpowered".

Mr Ali was saying that he did not keep money in the house.

His wife heard shouting and was horrified to see what was happening to her husband. She shouted to their son Zubair for help. Two of the intruders restrained her to try and muffle her cries.

The son woke up and bravely launched a "counter attack", said Mr Elias.

Their daughter Zaria Ali, 18, appeared with a guitar and bravely held it out to try and defend herself.

The prosecution said: "Despite being outnumbered, Zubair put up what the Crown say was an effective struggle. He punched out at the intruders, one of whom had a knife, and smashed a guitar over one of the intruder's heads.

"They smashed a utility room window and climbed out in order to get away."

Miah's DNA was found in blood on a broken pane of glass, on top of a cupboard and on a scarf. The gang had left behind a screwdriver, glove and a scarf. They got away with a watch and a mobile phone.

He had previous convictions for burgling two homes and at the time of the offence had been put on a suspended sentence for burglary.

Abdul Iqbal, defending, said: "His family are very upset, annoyed and ashamed of the defendant's offending".