Men threaten to kill women and children in 'nightmare' burglary at wrong address

Three males from South London have been jailed after threatening to kill women and children during a burglary they did at the wrong address. Myron Onyuta, 28, Reece Mitchell, 20, and a boy, 16, planned to burgle a drug dealer but ended up breaking into the family flat in Copperfield, Chigwell, in the early hours of May 16.

In what was described by a judge as "everyone's worst nightmare", the group forced their way into their home and, on discovery of their mistake, threatened to kill the two women and two girls, aged 12 and four, living there. Onyuta threatened them with a gun, while Mitchell and the boy, who legally cannot be named due to his age, threatened them with knives.

The trio burgled and attempted to burgle three homes that night before fleeing the scene. While in the family's home, they stole their victim's phones and jewellery. While Mitchell continued to hold them hostage and wreck their flat, Onyuta and the teenager left and attempted to burgle a second address nearby, in Bracken Drive.

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Upon realising that this was also the wrong address, they fled after frightening the residents there with their two children who saw the burglars trying to climb through an open window.

The failed burglars returned to the family flat in Copperfield and there decided to burgle a third address. Again Onyuta and the boy left Mitchell with the family but took one of the women with them as a hostage for their next burglary target.

The woman they took as a hostage had managed to retrieve her phone and was calling the police for help, unbeknownst to her attackers.

At the third address, also in Copperfield, Onyuta brandished his handgun and ransacked their home - terrifying three more children there. Suddenly, they heard the victim's phone and realised the police had been called, so they fled the scene, followed by Mitchell shortly after.

"Every day is a struggle to live"

One of the victims of these burglaries explained the terrible impact the crimes have had on her in court. She said: “This has left me feeling that I am constantly looking over my shoulder. Ever since that day every day is a struggle to live.

"I feel I am being watched and followed everywhere I go. When to go back home and I am alone I cannot stop myself from crying, and I wonder what I did to deserve this.”

Mitchell, of Hayter Road SW2, was arrested two days after the burglaries on May 18 by Surrey Police. He pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary.

Onyuta, of Vickers Close, Wallington, was arrested on May 22. He pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated burglary, one count of possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear or violence and one count of burglary.

The boy, now 17, from Deptford, pleaded to two counts of aggravated burglary and one count of burglary.

'These attacks were everyone's worst nightmare'

In their sentencing remarks the judge condemned their actions as “appalling attacks on people who were completely innocent in their own homes”.

They added: “You each took part in what must be everyone’s worst nightmare. Imagine your own parents quietly in bed, your brother and sisters, and this happening to them – one can hardly imagine a more terrifying event.

“[The victim’s statements] just begin to tell us all how awful those events were and how much they continue to plague their lives. Your attacks will probably continue to do so for the rest of their lives.”

All three appeared at Chelmsford Crown Court on Wednesday, November 27 – Onyuta was sentenced to 12 years in prison, Mitchell was sentenced to 10 years in prison and the 17-year-old was sentenced to three years and four months in prison.

'These were incredibly violent and chaotic crimes using deadly weapons'

Sergeant Victoria Jarvis said: “First of all I’d like to thank the victims in the case for their bravery and involvement in our investigation. Despite this horrendous ordeal they have supported all our work and have been an important part of ensuring justice is done in this case.

“These were incredibly violent and chaotic crimes using deadly weapons. When Onyuta and Mitchell didn’t find their intended victims, they said they would kill the people they found instead.

“They invaded the homes of innocent members of the public, some as young as four years old, only motivated by what they could take from who they found, no matter who they were. It was only right they were given custodial sentences and can now consider their actions from prison.”

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