Wolverhampton man jailed for terrifying night-time burglary

A man who forced his way into a house in Rugeley and threatened the occupant with a gun has been jailed for 11 years.

Ashley Caddick, 33, from Bushbury, Wolverhampton, was jailed at Stafford Crown Court on Monday after he was convicted for aggravated burglary.

The court heard that a police were called to reports of screaming at a property in Bow Street, Rugeley, in the early hours of January 10 2017.

They found the front door open and the 25-year-old occupant with a two-inch cut to his head and was bleeding.

The victim had gone to bed at around 10.30pm the night before and been woken by a blow to the head.

He woke to see a man pointing a handgun at his face from two feet away.

The gunman, accompanied by two other men, demanded money in a Wolverhampton accent before they made off in a red Volvo SUV.

The victim's iPhone was stolen and later tracked to Slitting Mill Road in Rugeley.

Caddick, of Carisbrooke Road, also stole £400 in cash and was picked out in an identity parade.

His fingerprints were found in the Volvo and a black gas-powered ball bearing gun was found at his home.

Detective Constable Neil Johnson, of Staffordshire Police, said: "This was a very serious offence where the victim awoke to believe his life was in danger.

“The weapon was recovered and turned out to look very realistic.

"We are glad this sentence sends out a strong message that we will not tolerate threats and violence and will bring offenders before the courts.”