Three men jailed for attacking and robbing a disabled and elderly man in his home

Lee Paterson, 36, a barber from Denmark Villas, Hove, Jack Hogsden, 25, unemployed, of Hartfield Avenue, Brighton, and Joseph Perry, 31, unemployed from Old Mead Road, Wick, Littlehampton, appeared at Maidstone Crown Court for sentencing.

Paterson, who pleaded guilty, was imprisoned for four years, Hogsden, who denied the charge, was sentenced to seven years and Perry, who also pleaded not guilty, was jailed for 10-and-a-half years.

On April 12, 2013 Paterson, Hogsden and Perry broke through the front door of the 64-year-old victim's flat in Ecclesden, Grove Hill, Brighton.

The victim, who requires a mobility scooter to get around the town, was asleep on his bed when they entered his bedroom. He stood up and they pushed him on his bed and threatened him asking for his money. He refused and one of the men punched him around the face causing bruising and swelling.

They searched his flat and stole items. He struggled with one of them when they were preventing him from leaving the bedroom and suffered a swollen and badly bruised finger.

Paterson, Hogsden and Perry were arrested a few weeks later and then charged with robbery.

After the case Detective Constable Aran Boyt said: "These men broke into this vulnerable man's home and subjected him to a terrifying ordeal and assaulted him. This was a callous and nasty crime which has left the victim traumatised and in fear of being alone in his home.

"In the end all these men stole was computers, DVDs and a small amount of cigarettes but the damage and impact they have had on the victim's life is immeasurable. The sentences these men have received are substantial and show we will not tolerate this kind of behaviour in Sussex."