UK Trio Jailed Over Home Invasion in Failed Crypto Theft Attempt

Three men who forced their way into a man's home in Bristol, England, and assaulted him in a failed attempt to steal cryptocurrency have been jailed, Avon and Somerset Police said on Friday.

Terroll Paul, 31, Mohamed Samagassi, 37, and Pierre Madzou, 30, broke into the victim's home in the early hours of May 15, assaulted him and demanded he hand over a large amount of digital currency. He was hit over the head, suffering a substantial injury that required hospital treatment.

The victim's teenage sister alerted police, and all three men were arrested at the scene.

They pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary in August, and were sentenced at Bristol Crown Court on Thursday. Paul, of Barking in London, received six years in prison, Madzou, also of Barking, five and a half years, and Samagassi, of no fixed address, five years.

The victim's sister showed "extreme bravery," said PC Gemma Childs, the investigating officer, adding that her actions led directly to "the apprehension of the offenders and preventing her brother from further harm."

In a statement read in court, the victim said the break-in had changed him. "Before, I was bubbly, talkative and outgoing but now I would describe myself as tense and apprehensive," he said.

The police did not say how much cryptocurrency the men demanded.

Crypto "wrench attacks"

The case is the latest in a run of so-called "wrench attacks" in the UK, in which criminals target crypto holders in person. In February, three teenagers were jailed over a $4.3 million wrench attack robbery caught on police video in London, while last month a $10,000 reward was offered after a West Midlands couple was attacked in a crypto home invasion.