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Police are praised for their bravery
A GANG of masked gunmen who burst into two homes during late-night burglaries have been jailed for a total of 32 years.
Halifax men Samir Ahmed, 29, of Gladstone Road, King Cross, and Shakeel Ahmed, 24, of Milton Place, were each sentenced to 11 years.
Their co-accused, Mohammed Shamraiz, 21, also of Gladstone Road, was locked up for 10 years.
All three admitted two offences of aggravated burglary in November last year. Samir Ahmed pleaded guilty to a further attempted burglary.
The gang burst into a house at Savile Park Road, Halifax, which Michael Adams shares with his two sisters, Sharon, 32, and Suzanne 28.
They brandished imitation firearms at the occupants and demanded cash and valuables as they ransacked the property.
The following night, the armed gang struck again at Moorlands View, Halifax.
The occupant, John Kennedy, fled the house via the back door as the men smashed their way in.
They were challenged by police constables Simon Hall and Holly Douglas who were commeded by Judge Bartfield for their bravery.
Samir Ahmed was arrested and the other two were caught later after using a stolen credit card.
Judge Robert Bartfield, sitting at Bradford Crown Court, said: "It is plain you were doing this, as one of you put it, in effect for the kicks, for the thrill of it."
"Michael Adams and his two sisters suffered the most terrifying ordeal at your hands.
"It was a sustained and cruel invasion.
"You did not stop until you had systematically taken everything you wanted."
When arrested, the men's mobile phones were confiscated and contained pictures of the men toting guns.
Judge Bartfield said the pictures demonstrated the burglars' "unhealthy interest" in guns.
"Your previous good character and everything else that can be said about you shrink in front of the evil that is involved in these offences," he told them.
He also commended the investigating team, Det Insp Gary Stephenson, Det Sgt Bill Hargreaves, Det Con Ashley Nuttall, Det Con Tony Chapman, trainee investigator Eileen Walsh, PC Helen McCorry and caseworker Craig Kelly.
Speaking after the case, Det Sgt Hargreaves said: "There is no doubt that the streets of Haifax are far safer with these three individuals securely locked away."
The weapons have never been recovered.
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Saturday 11 February 2012
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