Two men have been sentenced to a combined 20 years in prison after being convicted of a violent knife-point burglary in Swindon. Martin Coombs, 25, of Somerville Road, Walcot, and Jay Stokes, 32, of Hallam Moor, Swindon, appeared at Swindon Crown Court today (16 October) for sentencing after being found guilty of aggravated burglary.
Jay Stokes received an 11-year sentence for the burglary, along with an additional 18 months for an unrelated drug offence, resulting in a total sentence of 12 years and 8 months. Martin Coombs was jailed for nine years.
The burglary occurred on 29 November last year, when Coombs and Stokes targeted a property on Verwood Close, Park North. Forcing their way through the front door, they attacked the victim, a woman in her 30s, slashing her hands with a knife and assaulting her while demanding drugs and money. After the brutal assault, the pair searched the flat and stole cash before fleeing the scene.
The victim left injured and shaken, called the police, and both men were arrested shortly afterwards. During the trial, crucial CCTV footage from a lift showed Coombs and Stokes discussing the burglary both before and after the attack, which played a significant role in securing their conviction.
Following the sentencing, Detective Inspector Sarah Champion from the Burglary Team said:
“This was an awful, targeted attack on a vulnerable woman, leaving her with serious injuries. Key CCTV footage prior to the offence showed Coombs and Stokes colluding to target the victim, and further footage following the assault captured them discussing it. Despite this evidence, they pleaded not guilty, forcing the victim to relive the traumatic experience in court.
DI Champion praised the investigation team, stating:
“Their hard work in piecing together the evidence and securing the conviction was acknowledged by the Judge, who praised the high quality of the investigation. Burglaries remain a priority for the force due to the invasive nature of the crime, and we will continue to pursue offenders like Coombs and Stokes to ensure they face justice.”
The sentences highlight the police’s commitment to tackling burglary and ensuring offenders are held accountable for targeting people in their own homes.
