Five and-a-half years jail for thug

A THUG who terrorised a Warrington family using a knife and knuckleduster has been jailed for five and a half years.
Ross Grannell, 23, and two other men forced their way into the family home, demanding money and drugs, Warrington Crown Court was told.
Grannell, of Goldfinch Lane, Birchwood, Warrington, punched Ronnie Pickering in the face with a knuckle duster, shouting “give me your money, give me your weed”, before knocking the victim’s sister, Angela Richards, unconscious.
He pleaded guilty to robbery and assault.
Gareth Roberts, prosecuting, said Grannell and the two others, all wearing hoods and scarves to hide their faces, took £60 cash and quantity of cannabis from the house in Kingfisher Close, Birchwood.
One of the men held a knife to Mr Pickering’s throat while the assaults took place.
Ms Richard’s 14-year-old son told Garnnell where money was kept in the house, before Mr Pickering eventually handed over the cash and drugs he had.
Mr Pickering told police later he believed all three robbers to be “coked up” when they carried out the attack.
Simon Berkson, defending, said the victims didn’t suffer serious injuries as a result of the incident, only cuts and bruises that didn’t need treatment.
He said Garnnell had not committed a serious offence since 2005, demonstrating his ability to lead a life without crime.
But Recorder Michael Blakey said: “The robbery charge is a serious offence which carries with it a significant period of custody.”