Two Norwich men carried out a “terrifying” robbery during which they broke into a home, tied up the occupants and threatened their female victims with a knife and an imitation firearm.
Derek Brown and Kevin Gibbs, along with an unidentified accomplice, travelled from Norwich to Boston in Lincolnshire to carry out the crime.
The trio forced their way into the property at lunchtime and restrained two of the three female occupants in the kitchen, tying their hands with cable ties.
During the robbery the victims were “fearing for their lives” as the men repeatedly demanded property while brandishing a knife and holding what was later identified as an imitation firearm to the head of one of the victims.
The men escaped with a purse, a Rolex watch, and two mobile phones.
Detectives quickly identified the vehicle used in the crime, which led them to a flat in Norfolk.
Norfolk Police deployed armed officers to the address, and the men were taken into custody that evening.
Both men pleaded guilty to the robbery, which took place on November 30, 2025.
Brown, 61, of Kirklees, Norwich, was sentenced to 12 years and nine months for robbery, along with three years concurrent for possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause fear of violence.
Gibbs, 45, of Sherwell Road, Hellesdon, received 11 years and two months for robbery, and a concurrent three-year sentence for the firearm offence.
DC Chad Birch of Boston CID said: "This was a particularly terrifying ordeal in which the victims genuinely feared for their lives.
"Such acts of violence and intimidation are completely unacceptable.
"No one should ever be subjected to such trauma, least of all within the sanctuary of their own home.
"We remain absolutely committed to ensuring that those who commit such offences are brought before the courts and are held fully accountable for their actions."
Share