Three jailed for attack on elderly couple in Grays home

Picture: Reece Dadson, Charlie Stutz, Brandon Garrett

Three men who attacked an elderly couple in their home in Grays at gunpoint before trying to steal cash and jewellery have been jailed for a collective total of more than 25 years.

Basildon Crown Court heard how the husband and wife, who are both in their eighties, were in bed at their home in Cromwell Road at around 2.30am on 4 December last year when the attack happened.

After hearing banging downstairs they went to investigate and were confronted by 20-year-old Charlie Stutz, 18-year-old Reece Dadson and 19-year-old Brandon Garrett.

Stutz, who was armed with a handgun, hit the terrified woman with the weapon before throwing her husband to the ground and repeatedly kicking him.

While searching the house the gun went off but nobody was shot.

Stutz also went into the kitchen and picked up a household cleaner spray which he threatened to spray in the faces of the terrified couple.

A neighbour, who heard screams, called police. When they arrived, one officer grabbed Dadson, who was wearing a ski mask, and after being slammed into a wall managed to handcuff and arrest him.

Stutz and Garrett had both managed to climb out of an upstairs bedroom window onto the street below but were confronted by officers who chased them.

Stutz punched an officer during the struggle who continued to chase Stutz and Garrett along with colleagues, including armed officers and the police helicopter. The pair were arrested when they were found hiding in bushes.

Stutz, of Darenth Lane, South Ockendon, was charged with aggravated burglary, assault by beating of an emergency worker and handling stolen goods. He pleaded guilty to the charges and was jailed for nine years nine months.

Dadson of no fixed address was charged with aggravated burglary and assault by beating of an emergency worker and was jailed for six years.

Garrett, of Gobions Avenue, Collier Row, was charged and pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary and was jailed for nine years nine months.

Following the sentencing, Det Sgt Greg Jurkiewicz said: “The elderly victims in this case were subjected to a horrifying ordeal at the hands of these thugs.

“These three thugs thought nothing of threatening the victims at gunpoint and beating both of them in order to steal their valuables.

“Fortunately the couple’s quick thinking neighbours called police and our officers arrived within minutes and were able to arrest all three.

“We welcome the sentence, the length of which reflects the severity and violent nature of this crime.”