A father-of-two stabbed an armed burglar to death after a masked gang broke into his home in Selby, North Yorkshire, and beat him in front of his children.
The terrifying incident happened in March 2022, when six men armed with weapons and wearing balaclavas forced their way into the family home.
One of the gang attacked the father with a crowbar while his young children watched. In the struggle, the man grabbed a knife and stabbed one of the intruders.
The remaining five attackers fled in a getaway car, leaving their injured accomplice behind. Despite CPR efforts by the victim and paramedics, the man died at the scene.
Manhunt and charges
A police investigation launched a manhunt for the five suspects:
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Alan James Hall, 34, of Selby
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Daniel Welford, 32, of Pontefract
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Max Jackson, 33, of Stockton on the Forest, York
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Kallan Hunt, 35, of no fixed address
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Andrew Richardson, 38, of Doncaster
All were arrested and charged with aggravated burglary in October 2023.
Court outcome
This month, the gang members were sentenced as follows:
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Max Jackson – 13 years
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Daniel Welford – 13 years
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Andrew Richardson – 11 years, 4 months
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Alan James Hall – 11 years, 4 months, extended to 19 years after being deemed a dangerous offender
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Kallan Hunt – sentenced in line with aggravated burglary conviction
Only Welford admitted to being inside the home but downplayed his role. Richardson denied involvement, while others gave no comment despite evidence from phone logs, fingerprints, CCTV, and witnesses.
Hall initially claimed a cut to his hand was from a dog bite.
Police statement
Detective Sergeant Jon Kenworthy of North Yorkshire Police said:
“This was a premeditated, violent and distressing attack on the victims, who were home with two very young children.
Violent acts of this nature committed on North Yorkshire communities are rare but will not go unpunished and our teams will work relentlessly, however long it takes to bring offenders to justice.”
He also thanked the victim and emergency services for their attempts to save the life of the stabbed gang member, adding:
“Any loss of life is a tragedy to the family and the full circumstances of his death have been impartially and diligently investigated.”
