Prison for pair who stabbed Horsforth man in head (From Wharfedale Observer)

Prison for pair who stabbed Horsforth man in head

12:30pm Friday 28th September 2012 in Local news By Jonathan Redhead, Ilkley/Otley Reporter

“Horrendously violent” robbers who stabbed a man in the head and threw a heavily pregnant woman to the ground at a Horsforth flat have been jailed for a total of 27 years.

Michael Collins and Simon Patrick had turned aggressive and began demanding money from two men and a woman after turning up at a council-owned flat at Regent Court, Horsforth, last September.

The pair, who both have criminal pasts, had shown up at the property at 11.30pm on September 22, 2011.

Once inside, Patrick used a 12- inch kitchen knife to stab a 41- year-old man in the head and leg, and struck him with an ashtray. Collins attacked the other man, aged 40.

Patrick threw the 28-year-old woman, who was eight months pregnant, onto the floor on her stomach when she stood between him and one of the victims and tried to dial 999. Her baby survived the trauma.

The pair, who denied the offences but were found guilty following a trial at Leeds Crown Court, fled the scene with £200 in cash and two mobile phones.

Thirty-eight-year-old Patrick was sentenced to 15 years’ imprisonment for wounding with intent, assault causing actual bodily harm, affray and robbery. Collins, 29, received 12 years for robbery and affray.

Detective Inspector Jon Blackwell, of North West Leeds Proactive Crime Team, said: “This was a horrendously violent attack on people in their own homes during which one man was seriously stabbed and a heavily pregnant woman was thrown to the floor, purely so these men could steal from them.

“Both Patrick and Collins have very long criminal records stretching back many years.

“We are very pleased the court has recognised the seriousness of this incident and given them such lengthy sentences.

“We hope the community can take some reassurance from knowing that they have now been sent to prison for a long time.”

Both Patrick, of Upper Wortley Road, Wortley, and Collins, of Elmhurst Close, near Shadwell, had been residents of Holtdale Avenue, Holt Park, at the time of the attack.