Home / Crime and Justice / Armed Duo Gets 9.5 Years for Coventry Raids
Armed Duo Gets 9.5 Years for Coventry Raids
23 Feb
Summary
- Two men received nine-and-a-half years each for armed robberies.
- Robbers threatened occupants with weapons in their homes.
- A modified BB gun was discovered after a car chase.
Two men, Matthew Tennant, 37, and Kevin Swigler, 40, have been sentenced to nine-and-a-half years in prison each for their involvement in two armed robberies that occurred in Coventry last August.
The pair targeted two residential properties, using intimidation and weapons to threaten the occupants. At one house, they used a crowbar and hammer to force the homeowner to surrender car keys. In the second incident, they gained entry using a handgun before stealing various items.
Authorities apprehended Tennant and Swigler after a pursuit by firearms officers concluded in a dead-end street. A handgun was recovered from the car, later identified through forensic testing as a modified BB gun made to appear authentic. The violence and intimidation displayed were described as "truly shocking" by Detective Sergeant Jay Aston of West Midlands Police, who emphasized that targeting people in their homes is an act of cowardice.
While no one sustained serious physical injuries during these attacks, the psychological impact on the victims is acknowledged. West Midlands Police affirmed their commitment to pursuing individuals who engage in such violent crimes within Coventry.
