'We're here to kill' - Knife-wielding teen terrified innocent family after smashing way into 'wrong' home in middle of night

Teenager Keeley Dwyer threatened an innocent family with a knife - after breaking into the wrong home in the middle of the night.

The 18-year-old armed herself with a blade before going to a flat in Hanley with Paul Walker and forcing entry.

Dwyer pulled out the knife with her blood-soaked hand and shouted 'we're here to kill' to terrify the occupiers who had no idea who she was.

But the pair left after 19-year-old Walker realised they were inside the wrong address.

Now Dwyer has been sentenced to eight months in a young offenders’ institution, suspended for 12 months, and Walker was handed a 12-month community order at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court.

Prosecutor Alison Whalley said the two defendants went to a ground-floor flat in Hanley in the early hours of March 31.

Miss Whalley said: “The occupant was woken by some banging on the front door. He approached the door and saw a male through the spy hole. He also heard a female. Dwyer said, ‘Hello, open the door’. The man did not know either person. The knocking continued for half an hour.

“The door was broken and entry was gained without them being invited.

“Dwyer said, ‘We are here to kill a person’. She named a person who was not known by the occupant. He informed them he did not know who they were talking about and that person did not live there.

“She produced a knife and pointed it at the man. He noticed her hand was covered in blood.

“Walker tried to calm her down once he realised the person they were looking for was not at the premises. The police were called.”

Police later found the knife in the waistband of Walker’s trousers.

The court heard the incident had a significant effect on the victim and his wife. She said she was scared, not just for herself, but for her baby. She added that she wanted to escape through a window.

Dwyer, of Highgate Close, Norton, pleaded guilty to affray and possession of a knife in public. Walker, of Grange Street, Cobridge, admitted possession of a knife in public.

Robert Glenn, representing Dwyer, said it was ‘nonsensical, bizarre behaviour’ and his client does not know why she went to the address.

Mr Glenn said: “Her remorse appears to be genuine.”

He added that Dwyer wants to become an Army medic.

Arif Hussain, mitigating for Walker, said his client, who also wants to join the Army, believed they were going to meet Dwyer’s friend at the address.

Mr Hussain added: “He was unarmed. His co-defendant had a knife and he only became aware when they were in the house.”

As part of her suspended sentence, Dwyer must complete a rehabilitation activity requirement for 25 days.

And Walker must complete a rehabilitation activity requirement for 20 days and 120 hours unpaid work.

Recorder Martin Wasik told Walker: “One can only imagine what the occupants of that flat must have felt when they saw two people in the early hours, knocking on the door, breaking the door down, coming in the room, and Dwyer producing a knife. It must have been extremely frightening.

“I accept you did not know she had the knife until she produced it.

“It is clear to me at some later point you took the knife off her and you were found to be in possession of it when police arrived. You did not brandish the knife.”

The judge told Dwyer: “This caused serious alarm and distress to the occupants of the flat. They were entirely innocent victims. The door was kicked in to gain entry. You brandished a knife.”

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