Two men who forced their way into a Poole home and threatened the occupants with a firearm before stealing valuable items, have both been sentenced to terms of imprisonment.
Ashley John Peter Fulton, also known as Ashley McFarland, aged 42 of no fixed abode, was sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court on Wednesday 6 November 2024 after admitting two offences of robbery and a charge of possession of an imitation firearm whilst committing a schedule one offence.
He also admitted further offences of fraud, possession of an identity document with improper intention and possession of an article for use in fraud. He was sentenced to life imprisonment with a minimum term of nine years and 192 days.
Aaron Evans, aged 42, of Berkhamsted in Hertfordshire, was previously sentenced on Monday 23 September 2024 at the same court for two counts of robbery and possessing of an imitation firearm whilst committing a schedule one offence.
Evans was jailed for 12 years and will be the subject of an extended licence period for a further four years.
A third defendant, 24-year-old Lacey Louise Langton of Wareham, was also sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court on Tuesday 24 September 2024 to 14 months in prison after admitting perverting the course of justice and possession of an identity document with improper intention.
On Tuesday 21 February 2023 at approximately 12.50pm, two men purporting to be police officers forced their way into an address in the Sandbanks area and tied up the lone female occupant. Within the address they demanded the whereabouts of jewellery, with one of the men pressing what appeared to be a gun up against the victim’s thigh.
A short while later another female arrived home at the address. On entering the house she was dragged inside by the two men and also threatened with a firearm.
Both victims were assaulted and threats were made to cause them serious harm before both were shut within the bathroom of the property. The men then made off with a quantity of jewellery and the victims’ mobile phones.
Once the men had left the property, the victims raised the alarm with a neighbour and the police attended.
Initial enquiries identified a vehicle that the defendants had utilised during the robbery. It was established that this car had earlier been reported stolen by Evans.
Following a detailed investigation by detectives, Evans was arrested in Merseyside on Thursday 20 April 2023. Forensic evidence subsequently linked him to the scene of the robbery.
Fulton was arrested at a hotel next to London Heathrow Airport on Sunday 14 May 2023, in company with his partner Lacey Langton. Evidence was obtained to show that she had fraudulently obtained a passport for Fulton under a false name, with the intention of them travelling to Morocco together.
Detective Inspector Shaun Inkpen, of Dorset Police, said: “This was an extremely distressing incident where the victims were put through a terrifying ordeal within their own home. I would like to express my thanks to them both as they have displayed immense courage and bravery throughout our investigation. I hope that the sentences passed by the court will provide them with some form of closure for what was a truly terrifying experience.
“This was a complex and challenging enquiry and I wish to pass on my gratitude to those involved for their tireless efforts to ensure that we were able to secure justice for both victims.
“Numerous officers and staff were involved from across a range of departments, including the Bournemouth Criminal Investigations Department, Force Intelligence Directorate and South West Forensic Service. I would also like to thank the Crown Prosecution Service for their assistance and support throughout the investigation and criminal justice process.”
