A MAN was hit with a metal bar and viciously beaten up in his own Rugby home after telling two men who turned up on the doorstep hoping to buy cannabis they had the wrong address.
And although he did not know about the weapon until it was used and did not take part in the violence himself, the second of the two men has now been jailed for his involvement.
Last year one of victim’s attackers, Andrew Orzechowski, 35, of Park Road, Rugby, was jailed for five-and-a-half years after pleading guilty to assault with intent to rob.
In a separate hearing Daniel Kay denied the charge – but finally admitted his involvement on the day of his trial at Warwick Crown Court.
The 33-year-old, of Chesterfield Road, North Wingfield, near Chesterfield, who had also admitted taking a car without consent, was jailed for four-and-a-half years.
Prosecutor Mohammed Hafeez said in December 2017 Kay was visiting Rugby where he took his brother-in-law’s car without his consent after meeting up with Orzechowski.
The two of them then went to the victim’s home in Bilto, in the mistaken belief that they would be able to buy cannabis at the address.
When the victim, who was at home with his partner and his 18-year-old son, answered the door, he was asked: “How much for one and a half?”
There was a discussion during which the victim told them they had the wrong address, at which Orzechowski produced a metal bar and struck him over the head with it.
Orzechowski, who began demanding money, and Kay then entered the house where Orzechowski continued his attack, knocking the victim to the floor and kicking him.
But he and his partner had only a few pence between them, and as the demands continued, his son handed his X-box console to Kay before they then left the house and drove off.
Orzechowski’s DNA was found on a pair of gloves recovered from outside the property, and Kay was traced through the car registration number, was not initially charged after he accepted being present but denied having any involvement.
Errol Ballentyne, defending, pointed out that Kay had entered his plea on the basis that he was present when violence was used by Orzechowski, and that he took the games console.
But he had not been aware of the metal bar until it was produced by Orzechowski, and had not taken part in the violence.
Jailing Kay, Judge Anthony Potter told him: “I sentence you on the basis that you did not appreciate a robbery was being planned, and that you did not have a weapon and did not participate in the violence.
“But it is essential people in this country feel safe in their own homes.”