AN ARMED robber has been sentenced to two and a half years in prison today for his part in the attempted abduction of a Suffolk baby.Bryan Lockwood, 32, from Boreham Wood, was one of three men who burst their way into a Stowmarket home in November last year and threatened the elderly residents with a cosh in a bid to abduct their 12-month-old grandson.

AN ARMED robber has been sentenced to two and a half years in prison today for his part in the attempted abduction of a Suffolk baby.

Bryan Lockwood, 32, from Boreham Wood, was one of three men who burst their way into a Stowmarket home in November last year and threatened the elderly residents with a cosh in a bid to abduct their 12-month-old grandson.

The gang searched the house for the child but he was not there, instead they made off with credit cards, which were later used in a cash point in Barnet.

Lockwood was on licence at the time after being convicted of an armed robbery in 2002.

Stephen Spence prosecuting at Ipswich Crown Court today said: “This was a frightening and upsetting incident. The victim indicates that four weeks after the incident she had a fear of being in the house on her own and would barricade herself in the bedroom when her husband was out at work and she was petrified that the men would return.

“In January 2006 she had a stroke followed by a second one three weeks later. Doctors have informed her that stress was the main contributing factor.”

The court heard that Lockwood had previous offences dating back to 1987. He was sent to a young offenders' institute in 1990 for offences of robbery, attempted robbery and carrying a fire-arm with intent to cause violence.

He committed burglaries throughout the 90s and escaped prison in 1995. In 2002 he was convicted of three offences of robbery at Harrow Crown Court.

Those offences took place in off-licences and Lockwood was armed with a knife or a screwdriver.

Lesley Manley mitigating for Lockwood said he was highly motivated to change his life. She said: “As far as the offences are concerned attempted abduction is obviously an extremely serious matter. Nothing I can say can minimise that at all.”

She went on to say that there had been no sexual motivation in the attempted abduction and no intent to harm the child.

She also presented a letter to the court from Lockwood which detailed his desire to change.

Judge Peter Thompson sentencing him today said: “This was a calculated criminal act of violence. You and other tough men forced their way into the house of some 60-year-old people believing their grandson was there with the plain intention of taking him away. “You have effectively participated in wrecking the life of a lady who is a healthy 60-year-old. It is aggravated by the fact that you were on licence and aggravated by the fact you were taking advantage of elderly people in their own home.”

Judge Thompson sentenced Lockwood to two and a half years for the attempted abduction and six months for handling the stolen credit cards to be served consecutively. The judge gave Lockwood credit for his guilty plea.