A mother-of-two who subjected a vulnerable pensioner to a horrific attack using weapons taken from her son's military collection has been jailed for five years.

Petite Jane Williams used a gas mask, air pistol and balaclava from her army cadet son's collection in the terrifying attack on next-door neighbour Ronald Marron.
Liverpool Crown Court heard that Williams had previously cleaned ill Mr Marrons home and the pair knew each other.

But in the early hours of April 30, 2009, fuelled by cocaine and alcohol, she tricked her way into his home by pretending to be his sister-in-law.

Disguised by a balaclava and a wig and accompanied by a man wearing a terrifying gas mask, the pair burst into his home and demanded money.

Geoffrey Greenwood, prosecuting, said: "The defendant started hitting him to the head with a black baton. The male shouted 'Give me your money'.

"Mr Marron attempted to stave them off by feigning a heart attack.

"At this point the male, who had not carried out any physical violence, shouted for the defendant to leave, at which point he left.

"But she continued to look through Mr Marrons drawers."

Even when 78-year-old Mr Marron, who suffers from diabetes and heart problems, fought back with an aerosol can, Williams continued to relentlessly hit him with the baton.

Williams, 40, was identify because the victim recognised her voice.

A ball bearing gun found at Mr Marron's home in Phillips Close, Thornton, was later identified by Williams's teenage son.

Williams, of adjoining Edge Lane, initially denied any involvement, but later admitted taking her sons military items.

She pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary.

Jailing her, Judge Brian Lewis said: ”Mr Marron, then aged 78, was in bed in his bungalow. He was entitled to believe he was safe and secure in his own home.

"What followed was a disgraceful incident in which that elderly, ill man was treated in a way which no civilised society can begin to tolerate."

Frank Dillon, defending, told how Williams, who has no previous convictions, was descending into alcohol dependency after two unhappy relationships.

He added she had taken cocaine and had no recollection of the incident.

But he told the court she suffered from severe depression and anxiety, had self harmed and would be a suicide risk in prison. “She is a very, very vulnerable individual,” he added.

After the hearing the victim's daughter, Carol Byrne, said he would finally be "able to sleep at night" now his attacker was behind bars.

Carol Byrne said: “I am happy. We just wanted her to be locked up.

At least my father will be able to sleep tonight.

"He's not been able to sleep since its happened, he's spent a fortune going away to get away from the house and never goes into the garden anymore. This will be such a relief for him."

She added: “I don't believe she's remorseful at all. She's had 10 months to phone up or come round and apologise, but she's not said anything, not once.

"She's been living right by him all this time and he's been terrified."

In a letter read to the court, Williams wrote: ”How do I begin to let you know how truly and deeply sorry I am for the pain and anguish I have caused and for my shameful and deeply regrettable actions.“

Williams told how the breakdown of her relationship had triggered her to drink heavily, but admitted that was "no excuse".

By Lynda Roughley