Desmond Lambert tried to break in to a South Ealing home at gun-point

A 27 year old who tried to rob a man at gunpoint in his South Ealing home has been jailed for eight years.

Isleworth Crown Court heard that on Tuesday 3 August 2010, at 23.30hrs Desmond Leslie Lambert from Rose Gardens W5 tried to force his way into a house on Airedale Road.

The victim - in his 60s - was watching television when he heard a knock at his front door. The man was suspicious because of the late time and only partially opened the front door, but Lambert tried to force it further - pushing what appeared to be a hand gun through the gap.

The victim managed to slam the door shut and contacted the police.

A forensic examination of the area identified Lambert as a possible suspect.

In the early hours of Saturday, 7 August an armed officer executed a warrant at Lambert's address where he was arrested. When officers searched the premises they found an air pistol hidden behind a speaker. The following day he was charged with the offences and remanded into custody.

In February Lambert was found guilty of aggravated burglary and possession of a firearm to commit an indictable offence and,on Friday 25th March, he was jailed for eight years.

Detective Constable Pete Blackburn from Ealing Borough said:

"The length of this sentence shows that burglars will not be tolerated on Ealing borough. I am grateful that the weapon was an air-pistol and not a hand gun but it does not minimise the impact this crime has had on the victim. He showed great presence of mind in the way he dealt with the situation and kept Lambert out of his home."

28th March 2011