Millington, Kudhlakwazinda and Rodney
Millington, Kudhlakwazinda and Rodney
Three men have bagged a jail term of a combined total of more than 25 years after a terrifying knifepoint raid on a homeowner in Wednesbury.
36-year-old James Millington wore an orange high visibility jacket and posed as a delivery driver before knocking on the door of his victim’s home in Wednesbury, on the morning of 12 December last year.
Moments after the man answered the door and briefly chatted to Millington, two other men: 33-year-old Marvin Rodney and 27-year-old Leon Kudhlakwazinda forced their way into his home, with one carrying a knife.
The victim was walked into the kitchen where he was told to stand against the wall, before one of the men asked “Where’s the money?”
Two of the men then went upstairs and began searching. But it appeared the men had targeted the wrong house as they asked the victim “We’re looking for our stuff, where is it?”
The homeowner told the men they had got the wrong house and they left. He then contacted us and our investigation began.
The incident was filmed on doorbell footage and captured the moment Millington approached the door with a parcel and spoke to the man.
West Midlands Police were able to identify Millington as there was a clear image of his uncovered face.
Police obtained CCTV which showed Millington arriving with two men who we later identified as Rodney and Kudhlakwazinda, walking to the premises.
CCTV footage had captured an Alfa Romeo vehicle in a nearby street believed to have been used to transport the three men to the scene.
Millington was arrested the following day and Rodney on December 20. When Police arrested Kudhlakwazinda on 2 February, a search discovered an Alfa Romeo car key believed to be from the vehicle used to transport the men on the day.
At Shrewsbury Crown Court, Rodney from Darlington Street, Wolverhampton, was handed a 12-year jail term after being convicted of a charge of aggravated burglary following a trial.
Kudhlakwazinda from Whitehall Road, Tipton, was jailed for 11 years after being convicted of the same charge following a trial while Millington from Cannock Road, Wolverhampton, was jailed for two years seven months after pleading guilty to burglary.
Sgt Andrew Mason, Neighbourhood Crime Team Investigation Supervisor, at Walsall LPA, said: “These three men invaded the victim’s home at knifepoint. It must have been a terrifying experience for him. We are delighted that these men are now facing many years behind bars. It sends out a clear warning to others intent on carrying out offences of this nature – we simply won’t tolerate it.”
People with information about crime in their neighbourhood should contact us via Live Chat on our website or by calling 101. Alternatively contact CrimeStoppers anonymously on 0800 55111.