Violent attackers jailed

Buy photos» Reis Hamblin (19) was sentenced to six years for robbery.

Chris Willmott

03 August. Updated: 03 August 17:23

TWO MEN have been jailed for a robbery and violent attack on a family in their own home in Castle Bromwich, Birmingham, after the offenders mistook the address for a cannabis factory.
Reis Hamblin aged 19 from Moseley was sentenced at six years for robbery at Birmingham Crown Court on Mon 25 July and Kain Fox aged 18 of NFA, was sentenced to 7 years for Grievous Bodily Harm with Intent, following the incident last year.
The attack took place at an address in Musborough Close, Castle Bromwich on 9 October 2010.
The victims, a man and a woman and their young son, were watching TV when they heard a noise in the garden.
The male victim went to investigate and was confronted by two masked men, who attacked him.
He suffered a 7” stab wound to the groin and a 10” slash wound to his neck and was sprayed in the face with a noxious substance.
His wife was also sprayed with a substance as she tried to call for help and the couple’s son hid upstairs, as the two men searched the house.
Nothing was stolen except a mobile phone.
Following a police investigation by officers from Force CID, Hamblin and Fox were arrested and charged and both pleaded guilty to the offences at an earlier hearing.
DC Phil Rogers from Force CID said: “After pleading guilty, the offenders stated they had gone to the address in the mistaken belief it was a cannabis factory and were preparing to steal the crop.”
“This was a violent attack on an innocent family and we welcome the sentences that have been handed out by the court today.”
The sentences come during a forcewide crackdown on robbery, codenamed Serve and Protect.
Launched at the start of July, the operation aims to tackle an anticipated seasonal rise in robbery offences and the initiative has already resulted in a drop in robbery offences across the West Midlands.
For the latest news on the operation, search for #serveprotectwmp on Twitter