AVIOLENT thug has been jailed for 11 years after tricking his way into a couple’s home – and firing a gun at them.

Danny Barber, 35, aimed the gun at neighbour Dorothy Stanley’s head, but got more than he bargained for when her enraged husband Richard fought him off and chased him out the house.

Barber, of Wells Gardens, Pitsea, blasted the gas-powered BB gun at the couple as he fled.

The couple, have now spoken exclusively with the Echo, and said the lengthy jail sentence will help them move on with their lives.

The terrifying incident happened in Wells Gardens at about 11pm on Tuesday, February 11.

Mr and Mrs Stanley were at home when Barber knocked on their front door and said his car had broken down and asked to use the phone.

As Mrs Stanley, 48, walked inside the house, Barber followed her in and threatened the pair.

Mr Stanley got out his wallet, but then changed his mind about handing over the cash when he saw the thug point the gun at Mrs Stanley’s head.

Mr Stanley, 51, who is disabled, pretended to hand over his wallet, but when Barber reached for it he lunged for his weapon and wrestled it out of his hands.

The gun went off, hitting a kitchen door and Barber retrieved it and fled the property, firing back at the pair as he ran out.

Luckily the Stanleys and Mrs Stanley’s 20-year-old son, who was in bed at the time, were not injured in the attack.

Detectives launched an investigation into the incident and Barber was arrested and charged three days later.

But, despite the evidence against him, brazen Barber denied aggravated burglary at crown court, forcing Mr and Mrs Stanley to give evidence at trial.

The couple were shocked to learn Barber was their neighbour and lived just a few houses away from them.

Afterwards Mr Stanley said: “I am ecstatic at this sentence, we feel like justice has been served.

“I don’t want people to think of me as brave, I just want people in Basildon to see this man’s mugshot and think ‘this is the man who could not even manage to rob a disabled man’.”

Speaking after the sentencing at Southend Crown Court investigating officer, Det Con Rob Lewis, said: “This was an extremely frightening ordeal for the couple, late at night.

“Thankfully the firearm was a BB gun, but Barber clearly demonstrated he was willing to use a gun to obtain money from the couple.

“The outcome of this crime could have been far worse had Barber had access to a genuine gun.

“I want to thank the victims for the courage they have shown during the investigation and trial and I am pleased Barber faces a lengthy period in prison.”

 

IT HAPPENED SO FAST...IT WAS INSTINCT

BRAVE Mr Stanley, who sent the armed burglar packing, modestly claimed he was not a hero, and just acted on instinct to protect his wife.

Mr Stanley said adrenaline kicked in when the gun was pointed at his beloved Dorothy’s head.

Mr Stanley, who suffers mobility problems and is semi-retired, recalled that fateful February night.

He said: “I was going to hand over my wallet, but when I saw him put the gun to Dorothy’s head, I thought, ‘you are not getting my money now’.

“I thought when I hand my wallet over he will drop his eyes and I can get the gun off him.

“It all happened so fast, I just acted on instinct.

“While this was all going on we thought it was a real gun.

“It was not until he fired at us and I looked down and realised that my guts were still inside my body that I realised it was not a real gun.”

 

I have a man who will risk his life for me

RELIEVED Mrs Stanley heaped praise on her modest husband, and believes the whole horrifying incident has made their marriage stronger than ever.

She said: “My husband keeps saying he does not want to be thought of as brave, he just keeps saying it was survival instinct.

“But I know I have a man who will risk his life for me. This kind of thing can tear couples apart, but this has made us stronger.”

Mrs Stanley has been left terrified to stay in the house alone since – and still has nightmares eight months on. But she is now hoping the family can move on following the sentencing.

She added: “I have been struggling emotionally and I am in counselling.

“I keep thinking, what if my son had come downstairs and been killed. How would I deal with burying my 20-year-old son.

“As the robbery was happening I was paralysed with sheer terror, I just kept thinking, ‘are these my last few seconds on earth? Am I about to see my husband’s head explode when he is shot?’ “For a long time, every time I closed my eyes I just saw that man’s face, I could not sleep. Now he has gone to jail for such a long time, we can start moving forward.”