A gang of six masked men burst into the dad-of-two’s home in the middle of the night and beat him with a crowbar
22:00, 21 Aug 2025Updated 22:03, 21 Aug 2025
Andrew Richardson(Image: Yorkshire Live)
A dad who was attacked with a crowbar by a masked gang inside his own home killed one of the intruders to protect his two children and partner. The man, who has not been identified, fatally stabbed an armed burglar after a group of six masked men forced their way into his property in Selby, North Yorkshire.
Forced to defend himself and his frightened family after being assaulted with fists and a crowbar, the dad-of-two grappled with a man and, during the struggle, stabbed one of the burglars.
The five uninjured men escaped in a getaway vehicle while the victim desperately dialled 999 and attempted to save the sixth intruder’s life.
North Yorkshire Police and Yorkshire Ambulance Service medics arrived at the scene but were unable to help and the gang member died at the property, Yorkshire Live reports.
A force spokesperson said: “Armed with weapons, they wore dark clothing and balaclavas to barge into a house in Selby. A couple were inside with their two young children when the men entered the home, in March 2022.
“They beat the man with a crowbar and punched him repeatedly. But the man fought back to defend himself, taking a knife during the struggle and stabbing one of the intruders – a sixth man from the gang.”
Daniel Welford(Image: Yorkshire Police)
A huge manhunt was launched to track down the five men. Detectives, along with officers from Selby’s local policing team and specialist departments, used information and intelligence to find them all within 48 hours.
The homeowner did not face any criminal charges in connection to the man’s death on the grounds of self-defence.
The five intruders have been jailed for a total of 70 years for aggravated burglary. The men jailed are:
Alan James Hall, 34, of SelbyDaniel Welford, 32, of PontefractMax Jackson, 33, of Stockton on the Forest, YorkKallan Hunt, 35, of no fixed addressAndrew Richardson, 38, of Doncaster
During interviews, only Welford placed himself at the scene but downplayed his involvement stating he didn’t know what the others were going to do. Richardson denied any involvement in the offence, claiming he went to the scene when he found out his friend had been stabbed to death.
Hall denied committing any offences and then, when presented with the evidence, gave ‘no comment’ answers. When presented with the fact his blood was found in the address, Hall suggested the cut that he had to his hand was because of a dog bite.
Jackson denied any involvement and told interviewers he didn’t know anything about the burglary as he wasn’t there. In a subsequent interview he maintained he didn’t go into the address and answered ‘no comment’ to all questions.
Alan Hall(Image: Yorkshire Live )
Hunt denied any offences and gave a prepared statement saying he was at another address when he heard something had happened. When presented with a mountain of the evidence including phone work, CCTV and witness accounts, he provided ‘no comment’ answers.
The force spokesperson continued: “The intricate investigation used traditional and digital forensic opportunities including CCTV, telecommunications analysis, fingerprint and DNA examinations to identify all five individuals, placing them together before, during and post-offence. A number of key witnesses were also interviewed during the investigation.”
All five were charged with aggravated burglary in October 2023. However, due to the number of defendants involved and the backlog of court cases, the case was sent to Leeds Crown Court but could not be listed for trial until July 2025.
The defendants faced compelling evidence thanks to a thorough forensic examination of the scene, vehicle and weapons that gave further corroboration to those involved in the attack, including Hall. In the face of overwhelming evidence he and Richardson pleaded guilty on first day of the trial.
Kallan Hunt(Image: Yorkshire Live)
The three other men pleaded not guilty but the jury unanimously found them guilty of aggravated burglary.
Earlier this month, Jackson and Welford were jailed for 13 years each. Richardson and Hall were jailed for 11 years, 4 months each.
Hunt was deemed by a judge to be a dangerous offender and jailed for 19 years today, August 21, with a further five years on extended license at the end of that sentence.
Several members of the investigation team were awarded a Judge’s Commendation today for their work on securing convictions.
Detective Sergeant Jon Kenworthy of North Yorkshire Police’s Major Investigation Team said: “This was a pre-meditated, violent and distressing attack on the victims, who were home with two very young children. Violent acts of this nature committed on North Yorkshire communities are rare but will not go un-punished and our teams will work relentlessly, however long it takes to bring offenders to justice.
Max Jackson(Image: Yorkshire Live)
“Ultimately this has turned into a fatal incident for one of the perpetrators. Any loss of life is a tragedy to the family and the full circumstances of his death have been impartially and diligently investigated.”
Det Sgt Kenworthy added: “Today’s outcome sends a clear reminder to anyone who decides to go masked up, tooled up intending to cause acts of violence to people and property, of the risks and the consequences, of their decision-making.
“You will find yourself in custody and you will be held to account for your actions – the offenders will now all be spending a considerable amount of time, in their cells reflecting on their poor decision-making that night.
“I commend the actions of the first attending officers who rushed to the scene to try and save the life of the man who was fatally injured as well as secure and preserve the scene. A large police investigation used several departments and specialised officers who were proactive and persistent throughout the investigation to ensure all available evidence was secured.”