Masked brothers in terror raid at Bloxwich home
Two brothers wore balaclavas as they robbed a house of jewellery while the terrified family who lived there were at home, a court heard.
Patrick and Craig Drummond were caught red-handed by police as they raided a property in Harden Road, Bloxwich, Walsall Magistrates Court heard.
Mrs Maggie Meakin, prosecuting, said they forced their way into the address at 7pm on Monday night, after the father answered the door.
She told the court that his hands were tied behind his back as he shouted to his wife and their two children to get out.
She said: "His concern was for his family. He shouted to his wife to get out, we are being robbed. His wife was sat with the children. She described grabbing the house phone and running outside. She called police.
"The eldest child was so frightened they started running up the road."
Mrs Meakin said she managed to flag down a police car and the first police officer on the scene described being met by a "distraught" woman and child.
The court was told that officers then went into the house and arrested the brothers, who still had their balaclavas on.
She said: "The woman described the kitchen and bedroom being turned upside down. A number of items of jewellery had been taken."
The court heard jewellery was found in Drummond's pocket, but the value was unknown.
Mrs Meakin said Drummond had admitted the robbery to police, while his brother gave a no comment in interview. She added: "This is a very serious offence, with young children so scared they literally ran from the house."
During the hearing, Craig Drummond, aged 42, of Barnet Road, Erdington, and Patrick Drummond, 45, of Grosvenor Road, Handsworth, spoke only to confirm their names, addresses and date of births.
Representing the pair, Mr Graham McGrath indicated a guilty plea to robbery on behalf of both defendants. He made a bail application on behalf of both of them and told the court they wanted to get their affairs in order in case they were sent to prison.
He said their behaviour was foolish and a "one-off".
He added:?"Both of them say they were unaware that at this property was a woman and children," Mr McGrath said.
"They would not have been involved had they known children were in the property."
The bail application was refused by magistrates and the pair were remanded in custody.
They are due to appear for sentencing at Wolverhampton Crown Court on March 27.
