Couple "terrified" by armed men

Two men who forced their way into a home armed with a gun and metal bar and subjected the residents to a “terrifying” ordeal are now behind bars.

Marco Sellitto, 34, and Corey Deards, 25, smashed into a house on Great North Road, St Neots, at 2am on 31 May 2020.

The man inside, who knew the pair, had a gun placed in his mouth, was beaten with the metal pole and money was demanded from him.

He was repeatedly hit in the face with the pole and the gun, the force of which knocked several of his teeth out. He suffered three broken ribs and left side pneumothorax – a build-up of air outside the lung putting it at risk of collapse.

His partner, who was upstairs at the time, heard the commotion and ran downstairs but was also assaulted.

She had a sentimental gold necklace grabbed from her neck and £200 in cash was stolen from the main bedroom.

The men left the house and called two taxis to Bedford. Police were called, with some stolen items found at the back of the house including the man’s passport and some cash.

The metal pole with the victim’s blood on was found in a nearby alleyway and a car with false plates, parked near the house, had a bag inside with Sellitto’s fingerprints on.

The total damage caused to the house by the break in was £1800.

One of the taxis had CCTV inside the vehicle which identified Sellitto and Deards, while the other taxi driver gave a description of the man who booked the vehicle, which matched Sellitto.

Sellitto was dropped off at a road in Bedford, which at the time was his home address.

Both men were picked out by the St Neots residents in an ID parade as the pair who had broken in.

In police interview Sellitto denied all knowledge of the offence, while Deards answered no comment to all questions asked of him.

The pair stood trial at Cambridge Crown Court this week, but were found guilty on Tuesday (20 August) of aggravated burglary.

Sellitto, of Faldo Road, Bedford, was sentenced to 10 years behind bars. Deards, of Cedar Road, Bedford, was handed six years and six months in prison.

DC Louise Clarke said: “This was a frightening experience for the victims who were terrified as the criminals smashed their way into their home. The man was seriously assaulted, and the attack left him in a coma in hospital.

“Deards and Sellitto also stole irreplaceable sentimental jewellery and caused thousands of pounds worth of damage to the house.

“I am glad justice has been done and hope the verdicts and sentence will bring some comfort and closure for the victims.

“Burglary is a priority area for us and we will work hard to bring those who think they can target other people’s homes to justice.”

For burglary prevention advice, visit the force’s dedicated web page.