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Extraordinary moment gypsy gang repeatedly ram 32-ton truck into rival family’s house while they slept
Property in Stoke-on-Trent extensively damaged in terrifying night-time attack
THIS is the astonishing moment a gypsy gang repeatedly ram a truck into a rival family's house while they sleep.
The 32-tonne skip lorry was reversed SEVEN times into the semi-detached home in Goldenhill, Stoke-on-Trent, following a feud in the travelling community.
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Three children were asleep when the bitter criminals rammed the stolen skip loader into the house, causing significant structural damage, on November 5 2015.
Patrick Maughan, 37, Thomas Maughan, 31, and Frederick Price, 52, have now been jailed for three years and two months each after pleading guilty to criminal damage and being reckless to the endangerment of life.
Eileen Price, 49, received a suspended sentence after pleading guilty to the same charges and Ian Lloyd, 31, also received a suspended sentence after admitting conspiracy to steal motor vehicles.
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A sixth person, 28-year-old Nathan Ward, will be sentenced today at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court after previously pleading guilty to conspiracy to steal motor vehicles.
Luckily, Thomas Doherty and his family - who were asleep in the house at the time - were unhurt during the terrifying ordeal.
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Prosecutor Thomas Kenning said: "The lorry was reversed into the front of the house approximately seven times, and it was a big lorry.
"There had in the past been bad feeling between two groups - the Maughan family and the Price family against the Doherty family."
Simon Killeen, defending Patrick Maughan, said his client is remorseful, adding: "They believed the house was empty."
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DS Adrian Webb, who led the investigation, said: "This attack was extensively and carefully planned to intimidate a local family.
"That family, including their three children, were in bed when their house was rammed - not once but seven times by a very large lorry.
"This attack was done at night, targeting a semi-detached house in a residential area.
"It was sheer luck that no one was injured when the lorry damaged the house.
"This attack not only targeted the intended victims but put other local residents at risk and caused thousands of pounds damage to several vehicles.
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"Such criminal activity will not be tolerated in Staffordshire, and as we have shown, we will take positive action against those who engage in it.
"The safety of all our communities is an absolute priority."
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