Duo jailed after teenager hit at least 30 times with wrench and bat
The pair stole a backpack containing a diamond bracelet, before fleeing the scene.
Last updated 27th Mar 2022
A teenager was hit repeatedly with a wrench and a baseball bat after two people forced their way into a house.
The 17-year-old was struck around the head as he answered the front door.
Luke Chapman, 32, and Suzana Palmer, 37, barged their way inside and chased the boy through the house, hitting him as many as 30 times.
During the struggle, they also stole a backpack containing a diamond bracelet, before fleeing the scene.
Chapman and Palmer were pictured on CCTV loitering outside the house in Brand Lane, Sutton in Ashfield, before the incident in the early hours of 31 May 2021.
When the boy answered the door, Chapman immediately rushed forward to force his way inside and hit the teenager twice over the head with a monkey wrench.
The two intruders then chased the boy through the house and he was forced to hide in the bathroom, with Chapman and Palmer keeping him inside there while they burgled the house.
After finally forcing his way out of the bathroom, the boy tried to wrestle the wrench out of Chapman’s hands but was then attacked by Palmer, who was wearing a pink dressing gown throughout the incident.
She struck him more than 30 times with a baseball bat.
They then fled the scene, leaving the boy with visible bruising to his face and upper body.
Two days after the attack on 2 June 2021, officers spotted Palmer and Chapman in a car and started to follow them.
After a few minutes, the car stopped and Chapman tried to flee the scene on foot but was pursued and caught by officers, who arrested him.
Palmer, who was driving the vehicle, was also arrested.
When officers searched the car, they found a wrench matching the description of the one used in the incident two days earlier.
Chapman and Palmer, both of Stevenson Crescent, appeared before Nottingham Crown Court for sentencing on Friday (25 March 2022).
Chapman pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm, while Palmer pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary with intent to steal and possessing a baseball bat.
Chapman was sentenced to six years and eight months in prison with an extended licence of four years, while Palmer was sentenced to six years in prison.
Detective Inspector Ed Cook, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “Chapman and Palmer subjected a teenage boy to a horrible ordeal, that must have been hugely distressing for him.
“He was thankfully only left with minor injuries following this violent attack, although his experience that night will have undoubtedly also had a major effect on him from an emotional standpoint.
“Incidents of aggravated burglary such as this are completely unacceptable and we will always do whatever we can as a force to ensure that anyone carrying out this kind of offence is put behind bars.
“We are pleased to see that both Chapman and Palmer have been punished for their despicable actions and we hope that this sentencing sends a message out to others that this kind of behaviour will not be tolerated.”