Shropshire armed robbery appeal provides new leads
Police investigating an armed robbery at the Shropshire home of a businessman and his fiancée, are looking at new leads following an appeal for information.
Mr Richard Barnfather, 48, has described the ordeal he and his partner Miss Debborah Leadbetter were subjected to when three masked men forced their way into their country home at Lower Rudge, near Pattingham.
Speaking at a press conference last week, he said they were both tied and beaten before the men made off with jewellery worth more than £50,000 and three cars from the drive - an Aston Martin, Range Rover and a Mercedes.
During the conference, held at Bridgnorth police station, Detective Inspector Mark Bellamy, appealed for members of the public to come forward to help the police.
He said they could assist the investigation on three counts - if they saw the vehicles being driven away from the scene at around 10.30pm on Friday, March 9; if they suspected the identities of any of the offenders; or had knowledge of the whereabouts of the stolen jewellery.
DI Bellamy said today: "We have received a number of calls following the press appeal - around half a dozen. These are being processed and checked out.
"We are extremely grateful for this help but I am renewing the appeal, because I believe there are people who can help us further. There is a substantial reward for information leading to the arrest and conviction of those involved. Do call Shrewsbury CID on 0300 333 3000 or the anonymous Crimestoppers charity on 0800 555 111 if you can help."
Mr Barnfather has put forward a £10,000 reward with a further £4,000 coming from his insurers.
The three cars were recovered at locations in Tipton, Smethwick and Wolverhampton within hours of the robbery.
Robbers Description
Male one: Between 5ft 10-6ft tall of medium/athletic build described as being of Asian Pakistani appearance. He had dark eyes, a dark complexion and a thin face with fine features and a small nose. The man had facial hair with a prominent thin moustache. He had cheap gold teeth dull in colouring, one of which may be broken or twisted. The teeth that are gold are two either side of the front teeth and then the left tooth next to the canine. He also had a row of gold teeth in the lower jaw.
He was holding a gun and may have been wearing a black shiny tracksuit top with hood and black trousers.
Male two: A black man, possibly Jamaican, 5ft 10-11 tall of broad strong build. He had hazel coloured eyes and was wearing a dark tracksuit with hooded top and balaclava or scarf.
Male three: Described as a light skinned black man, 5ft 6 tall, aged approximately 23 years old, of slim build. He has freckles and was wearing an Adidas tracksuit which had red stripes. He carried a satchel type bag.
Among the items stolen were Miss Leadbetter's £25,000 diamond solitaire engagement ring. The band is platinum with a large diamond and the ring was in a maroon coloured display case.
Other items stolen during the raid include:
• A diamond bracelet in a navy display box. The diamonds are placed all around the bracelet.
• A Breitling watch.
• A Cartier silver watch which has a square face with white background. The watch has a sapphire in the dial with old fashioned numerals.
• A heart shaped necklace, the platinum half of the heart is clustered in diamonds in a dark green display box
• Long platinum earrings with cluster diamonds in a dark green display box.
• A Louis Vitton purse containing more than £3,000 and cards and two Blackberry phones.
