FOUR men have been jailed for a 'frenzied' attack on a terrified family forced to hide in their own home.
Paul Jeffels, and three members of the Nash family, Craig, Liam and Simon, used a machete, a large knife, and rocks, to attack and intimidate four people holed up in their Guisborough home.
All four were locked up on Friday for their role in the terrifying ordeal and their sentences have been welcomed by the detective heading up the investigation.
Detective Constable James Bartoli, of Cleveland Police, said: "This was a case where a family was trapped in their home and terrorised by four attackers.
“Their home and their vehicle were practically destroyed by these men in a frenzied attack involving weapons.
“We welcome the sentences and hope that these men’s imprisonment serves as a warning to those who would seek to bully and intimidate others in their community that this type of activity will not go unpunished.
“The victims were traumatised by what happened, but they remained supportive and focused during our investigation.
“Three of these four defendants maintained their innocence throughout the investigation and the subsequent trial but were found guilty by a jury of their peers.
“I hope that this result can bring some closure to the victims and also bring some semblance of calm to the community.
“Violence and damage on this scale cannot be allowed to happen in our communities and anyone seeking to do similar should take heed of where these four men are now.”
The violence erupted hours after Jeffels threatened to ‘smash-up’ the house on Scaling Court, Guisborough, and force the family out of the area after he became embroiled in a feud with one of the people living there.
Read more: Guisborough family terrified after machete and knife attack in own home
Sentencing Jeffels, of Mulgrave Court, Guisborough, to 32 months for affray, possession of a bladed article, causing actual bodily harm, and two charged of criminal damage, the judge, Recorder Richard Thyne QC, said: “You were plainly the ringleader in all of this.”
Craig Nash, 28, of Borrowby Court, Guisborough, was sentenced to a total of 27 months for affray, criminal damage, and possession of a bladed article, after being found guilty of all charges following a trial.
Liam Nash, 30, of Hawthorns, Great Ayton, and 29-year-old Simon Nash, of Borrowby Court, Guisborough, were sentenced to two years for their roles in the violent affray and criminal damage, after also being found guilty after trial.
All four were made subject of a ten-year restraining order.
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