Trio who subjected pensioner at her home in Cavendish, near Sudbury, to ‘terrifying ordeal’ in burglary are jailed

Three men have been jailed for an ‘appalling’ burglary in which they subjected a woman in her late 70s to a ‘terrifying ordeal’.

Anthony Cosgrove, 47, Sammy Okat-Uma, 46, and Ashton Seymour, 50, were jailed for 62 months, 59 months and 52 months respectively at Ipswich Crown Court today.

A fourth man had been charged in connection with the incident and had pleaded guilty to conspiracy to burgle in February 2022, but died later that year in a road traffic collision in London before being sentenced.

During the burglary in Cavendish on April 16, 2020, the victim awoke to find three men in her bedroom and one of them held his hands over her mouth and demanded money.

The victim was able to scream which alerted a neighbour, who came to help and was confronted by the thieves, two of whom ran directly past them out the door.

The third man lingered for a short time before he pushed past the neighbour and ran off.

The victim was left extremely shaken in the wake of the incident but was not physically injured.

Police, after arriving at the property, found an untidy search had taken place and cash and jewellery had been stolen from inside.

The suspects left a holdall bag and crowbar behind – the bag contained various items believed to be a robbery kit.

Detective Sergeant Glenn Toms said: “This was a truly appalling crime that demonstrates the depths of what some criminals are prepared to do.

“Burglary is an intrusive crime anyway, but for three men who were aged in their 40s at the time of the offence, to subject a woman aged in her 70s to a terrifying ordeal like that is both rare and truly shocking.

“The victim was understandably affected by the events of that night, but displayed great resilience in assisting us with our enquiries, along with her neighbour who demonstrated incredible bravery in coming to her aid and being confronted with the intruders.”

CCTV inquiries in the area found a Ford Mondeo and silver Peugeot arrived at the scene and left shortly after at speed.

Okat-Uma, of New North Road, Ilford, was arrested six days after the incident; forensic tests of the items left behind detected his DNA. He was charged the following day.

His phone was later analysed and it was found several calls were made to Seymour before and after the incident.

Seymour, of New Wanstead, Wanstead, provided a positive match to a mixed DNA profile on the holdall bag, and was arrested on June 13, 2020.

This was five days after the deceased defendant, who was linked to the crime through calls made by Okat-Uma, was arrested.

Cosgrove, of Lodge Close, Chilwell, was also linked to the crime through mobile phone analysis and regular contact with Okat-Uma and Seymour before and after the burglary.

He was arrested on August 4, 2020, and charged three weeks later, on August 26, alongside Seymour and the deceased defendant.

The three men initially entered a not guilty plea to conspiracy to burgle and were sent for trial on March 5 this year.

After the jury was sworn in but before the trial started, Okat-Uma and Seymour changed their pleas to guilty.

Cosgrove did not change his plea, so the trial continued and he was found guilty unanimously on March 8.