Ashley Fulton, 42, orchestrated a chilling robbery in February 2023 at the luxury home of Emily Aitchison and her mother, Kerry, in Sandbanks.
Posing as police officers, Fulton and his accomplice, who had ties to reality TV, stormed the property with guns drawn.
They took control of the house, threatening the two women and demanding the access code to a safe filled with valuables.
A Mother’s Fear, a Daughter’s Bravery
At the time of the invasion, Kerry Aitchison, 55, was home alone.
The robbers tied her up and then dragged her daughter, Emily, through the house by her hair.
The criminals made frightening threats, promising to kill Kerry unless Emily complied with their demands.
Despite the pressure, Emily stood firm.
She entered the code incorrectly twice and told them a third attempt would set off the alarm.
Fearing the authorities would arrive, the intruders fled the scene.
Evidence Leads to the Criminals
Though the robbers escaped, they left a trail of evidence behind.
DNA traces were found throughout the house, and CCTV footage of their getaway car revealed it was registered to Fulton.
Further investigation revealed Fulton had searched for the exact model of the rare watch they had stolen just hours after the robbery.
Police also discovered that Fulton had purchased fake police ID wallets, which the criminals had used to deceive their victims.
Courtroom Justice
At Bournemouth Crown Court, the judge declared Fulton a significant risk to the public.
He was sentenced to life imprisonment, though he could apply for parole after serving a minimum of nine years.
The sentencing had been delayed due to Fulton’s mental health issues, but the judge maintained that his violent crimes warranted a life sentence.
The court expressed sympathy for the Aitchison family, acknowledging the long-term emotional toll the robbery had taken on them.
The Family’s Ongoing Struggles
The robbery had a lasting impact on both Kerry and Emily.
Kerry shared how the traumatic experience had shattered her sense of safety, turning her home into a place of fear.
Emily, an estate agent, struggled with the psychological aftermath, unable to leave the house for weeks and suffering panic attacks.
Her once vibrant and outgoing nature was replaced by a constant sense of anxiety.
The Sentences for the Criminals
Fulton’s accomplice, whose identity remains protected, pleaded guilty to the robbery and was sentenced to 16 years in prison.
Additionally, Fulton’s girlfriend, Lacey Langton, 23, was convicted for perverting the course of justice and possessing an identity document with improper intent.
She was sentenced to 14 months in jail.
As the case came to a close, the Aitchison family began the difficult journey of healing, though the scars from that traumatic day will remain with them forever.
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