Terrified Carlisle woman woke up to gun-toting stranger
The terrified woman fled in panic after the hoodie-wearing intruder – later identified as 36-year-old Shaidul Islam - first threatened her with the handgun and then attacked her so he could steal her collection of jewellery.
It was later confirmed that the robber was able to sneak into the victim’s home undetected because he was secretly working with her on-off partner, 59-year-old Simon Cowen.
Islam and Cowen denied being responsible for the robbery, but they were convicted after a trial at Carlisle Crown Court. Islam was also convicted of possessing the imitation gun while Cowen admitted possessing a taser.
During the trial, prosecutor Gerard Rogerson provided a detailed account of the woman’s ordeal on June 10 last year.
Cowen had spent the night before the robbery with the woman, who was unaware that he was secretly working with Islam to organise the raid.
In the days before the robbery, said the barrister, the defendant's exchanged numerous text messages, ensuring that Islam would be able to enter the house through an unlocked door, knowing the dog was locked away.
“There were messages discussing the choice of weapons – baseball bats, crowbars, tasers,” said Mr Rogerson. There was also a reference to 'the other thing', by which they meant the imitation gun.
The men’s intention was to steal a collection of jewellery which the woman kept in a safe in her bedroom – jewellery which was later found in Islam’s flat. After the woman fled, Islam went straight to the safe, helping himself to the jewellery.
Referring to the raid, Mr Rogerson said Islam took steps to ensure the woman could not call for help, taking her mobile phones, which the police later found discarded in a hedge near to where he lives at Carleton.
During the raid itself, the woman challenged Islam, who responded by threatening her with the gun, saying he would tie her up, and striking her, causing a nose-bleed.
Mr Rogerson asked rhetorically how Islam had known about the jewellery, and how he was able to get into the house so easily, knowing the victim was asleep in her bed.
“The answer is because Simon Cowen, in a cold act of betrayal, gave Mr Islam all the information and help he needed,” said Mr Rogerson.
One chilling detail was how Islam followed the victim from her house and he raised his right hand holding the gun, briefly pointing it at the fleeing woman.
'Shattered her trust in people'
She provided a detailed victim impact statement.
What happened that day, said the woman, had shattered her trust in people, leaving her struggling to sleep and suffering nightmares when she does. “I can’t believe that Cowen did this to me,” she said.
She described Islam as “scary.”
“I have lost all confidence because these people had drilled it out of me.” She had spent years collecting the jewellery that was stolen, which had huge sentimental value and had wanted to pass it on to her children.
Jacob Dyer, for Cowen, said the offence was “totally out of character” for the defendant, a qualified joiner who had regular work. At the time of the robbery, Cowen was regularly using cocaine and alcohol.
“No doubt drugs and alcohol were at the root of it as far is he was concerned,” said the barrister. The defendant, of Lightfoot Drive, Carlisle, recalled a “downward spiral” of abusing those substances following the death of his mother.
Niamh Ingham, for Islam, said he was committed to his family and his conduct while in prison had impressed the prison staff, who spoke highly of him.
Both jailed for nine and a half years
Judge Nicholas Barker said Cowen knew the victim was vulnerable, a woman who struggled with her mental health.
“I am satisfied that you utilised this knowledge to target her," said the Judge.
The two men had planned the robbery, believing they could steal high value jewellery and cash. The victim’s statement made it clear that the robbery had a significant impact on her.
“She is distraught by the information that you, Simon Cowen, betrayed her in this way and she feels on edge all the time.”
Yet letters to the court from the defendants’ family members – Cowen’s daughter and Islam’s family – showed a side them that contrasts with their “heartless” actions during the robbery.
Concluding that the victim was targeted because she was vulnerable, and that Cowen knew what would happen, Judge Barker said there was no reason to distinguish between the two offenders.
He jailed them both for nine and a half years. An indefinite restraining order bans Cowen from contacting the victim in any way.
'A terrifying ordeal'
Speaking after the sentencing, Detective Inspector Lee Brumpton from Cumberland CID, said “This was a terrifying ordeal for the victim.
“Cowen and Islam worked together to orchestrate the robbery. Cowen, facilitating access to the property and leaving just before the offence took place, and Islam carrying out the robbery.
“The use of any firearm or imitation firearm to commit offences can have deadly consequences and they have no place in our community.”
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