TWO raiders who held a man to ransom at knifepoint in his own home have had the length of their jail terms cut.

Aaron Grundy, of Borough Avenue, Radcliffe, and Geoffrey James Greenwood, of Blackbank Street, Bolton, followed victim Michael Tansey to his flat in Halliwell, Bolton, before forcing their way inside, where Greenwood threatened him with a knife while demanding cash.

They were caught after Grundy called the victim's parents to demand a ransom and they contacted police.

Both men were jailed for six years and eight months at Bolton Crown Court in October last year, after Grundy admitted blackmail and Greenwood admitted robbery.

But their sentences were reduced to five years and three months by judges sitting at London's Criminal Appeal Court, who said the original terms were 'excessive'.

The pair spotted Mr Tansey in a shop in April last year and followed him back to his flat, before forcing their way in - despite his efforts to keep them out.

Greenwood, aged 29, punched the victim and then armed himself with a knife from the kitchen.

He held the knife to Mr Tansey's throat, causing a scratch, and demanded cash from the terrified victim.

Grundy, aged 28, then phoned the victim's parents after spotting their number on a note on the wall.

He demanded cash from Mr Tansey's father before passing the phone to the victim, who said there was a man who 'had a knife to him'.

Mr Tansey's mother overheard the conversation and called the police, who went to the flat and found the pair nearby with cigarettes and an iPod they had taken from the victim.

He was left so frightened by the incident that he planned to move from the area.

Lawyers for both men argued their sentences were over the top, saying the incident was relatively brief and no serious physical harm was caused to the victim.

Allowing the appeal, Mrs Justice Cox said the pair's original punishments were 'excessive'.

Sitting with Lord Justice Jackson and Judge David Radford, she added: "This was undoubtedly a nasty and frightening incident for the victim.

"But, as the crown court judge accepted, the offending was opportunistic, no serious injury was caused to the victim and the period of time he was held for was not very long.

"In our judgment, the appropriate sentence for each of the appellants was one of five years and three months."

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