Duo who robbed disabled Barnsley woman are jailed for 18 years

A Sheffield Crown Court judge jailed Tony Andrew Nuttall, 29, for 14 years after a jury convicted him of robbery and handling stolen goods.

Also appearing to be sentenced was a 16-year-old boy, who cannot be named for legal reasons. He was charged alongside Nuttall with robbery, burglary and fraud.

The teenager entered guilty pleas at an earlier hearing and was sentenced to four-years-and-eight-months in prison.

On Monday 23 November 2015, police were called to an address in Summer Lane, Wombwell, following reports a group had broken into the property and stolen a number of items including a chequebook and handbags.

Three days later, the group went back to the same house in the early hours and threatened and assaulted the resident, a disabled 63-year-old woman.

The group made off with a large number of valuables and sentimental items.

One of the group then attempted to cash a cheque from the victim’s chequebook at a local bank, but staff were suspicious and alerted police.

The police traced Nuttall to his home in Blythe Street, Wombwell, where they recovered a large amount of property connected to the burglary and robbery.

Detective Constable Oliver Williams of South Yorkshire Police, said: “Burglary is an intrusive and scary crime for victims to experience, but in this case Nuttall and others went back to the same property a second time and subjected the victim – a vulnerable woman – to a violent assault.

“I can’t imagine how terrifying this must have been and a thorough investigation has led to successful convictions at court for these crimes. The swift actions of the bank staff to report suspicious behaviour was massively important in helping us identify those responsible, and I thank them for their assistance.

“The lengthy sentence handed to Nuttall reflects the gravity of his crime and I am pleased that both he and the teenager are behind bars.

“I hope this case demonstrates our continued commitment to protecting our communities and bringing offenders of burglary and robbery before the courts.”