Two men who smashed their way into a flat in Flitwick and left a man with life-changing injuries were in court on Monday, August 8, 2022, and given long jail sentences.
Ryan Gibson, 31, was involved in a feud with the victim over cannabis when he recruited Ciaran Lambert, 24, for the early morning attack. Luton Crown Court heard Gibson had texted threats to the victim saying he would harm him and his dog.
https://lphconcertsandevents.co.uk/events/queen-symphonic-kimbolton-castle-tickets/
At six o’clock in the morning they smashed their way through the front door using a hammer. Both were armed with knives. The victim tried to stop them getting into his living room, but he was injured as they forced their way in.
Lambert, whose face was covered by a scarf, went into the kitchen to look for drugs while Gibson stabbed the dog and hit it with a hammer. The victim threw himself over the dog and was stabbed in the back.
They left with the cannabis that Lambert had found in the kitchen.
As they drove away Gibson sent the victim a text saying: “You took the p… mate. Everyone knows where you live. Hope you get what’s coming to you.”
Gibson of Cardigan Street, Luton and Lambert of Pleasant Place, Islington appeared for sentence having been convicted of aggravated burglary and causing grievous bodily harm to the victim on the night of May 6, 2019.
Lambert also admitted possessing cannabis. Lambert had five convictions for nine offences, including one of wounding with intent.
Gibson had 10 convictions for 25 offences.
Gibson was given an 11-year jail sentence with a three year extension as the judge said she regarded him as a dangerous offender.
It means that after the 11-year custodial sentence has been serviced he can be recalled to prison for a further three years. Lambert was jailed for a total of eight years.
Get daily FREE news here:
https://www.bedsbulletin.com/bulletin/sign-up/
Prosecutor Alex Krikler said a charge was not proceeded with in relation to injuries caused to the man’s dog.
Mr Krikler said: “There was a degree of planning. The two defendants arrived together in a car. They were armed and forced entry. There was serious violence that has had a severe impact on the victim.”
He said Gibson had drunk alcohol and taken drugs and Lambert had consumed a considerable amount of alcohol. In a victim personal statement the man said he had been diagnosed with severe Post Traumatic Stress Disorder.
He said the knife had gone through both sides of one of his lungs and he had been in hospital for 15 days and had been left with three scars. The victim said Gibson and Lambert have ruined his life.
For Lambert, Michael Polack said he was not involved in the initial feud and had expressed remorse. “He is a young man who made a mistake,” he said. Elizabeth Cobb, defending Gibson, said he had a history of drug-induced psychosis and had been diagnosed with a mental disorder.
She said it was not a sophisticated, planned crime with both men being found a short time later. Jailing them, Judge Lynn Tayton QC said there had been pre-meditated planning and a sustained assault.
“Once in his property, serious violence was used,” she said. She passed a restraining order banning both defendants from contacting the victim, his sister or their mother.
