TWO violent fugitive prisoners who embarked on a terrifying crime spree across Gwent have been jailed for more than 16 years.

After absconding from prison, Liam Aherne, 24, and Stephen Rees, 32, carried out a violent attempted robbery of a Bargoed shop and an attempted car-jacking.

Aherne also assaulted a kebab shop owner and carried out a “truly terrifying” break-in at a Llanhilleth house.

Aherne, of James Street, Markham, was jailed for 12 years, while Rees, of no fixed address, must serve four years and eight months.

Recorder of Cardiff Eleri Rees, who considered a life sentence for Aherne, who has 15 previous court appearances for 37 offences, said: “You are both dangerous and prepared to carry weapons, using them on anyone that stands in your way. You showed a ruthlessness and a disregard for the injuries you caused.”

Both men had been serving indeterminate sentences for violent crimes prior to walking out of open prison HMP Leyhill, in Gloucestershire, on January 30.

Prosecutor David Wooler said on February 9 Markham kebab shop owner Abdullah Adal was struck to the back of the head and repeatedly kicked in the head and face while he was on the floor. He suffered a nasal fracture, with a witness later identifying Aherne as the culprit.

On February 13 both men attempted to rob Best One Convenience in West Street, Bargoed, Rees armed with a claw hammer and Aherne with a Stanley knife.

Mr Wooler described how Aherne grabbed worker Jatwinder Bal Singh with one hand and demanded money as he jabbed him in the head with the knife.

His brother, Manvinder Bal Singh, entered and he was hit by Rees with the hammer. Mr Wooler described how the brave brothers fought against the men, and when their father, Gorinder, arrived, they were able to overpower them.

The defendants then attempted to steal Pauline Williams’ car. However, she screamed and they ran off.

Aherne also admitted an attempted robbery described as “a truly terrifying experience, the worst kind of invasion at someone’s home”, after he broke into a Llanhilleth home on February 9.

Mr Wooler described Aherne as being “angry and screaming”, calling “give me the suitcase with the money” as he charged at Iraj Safdel with a hammer in the 4am raid.

He swung the weapon at Mr Safdel on several occasions, but the victim was able to chase Aherne off after his family arrived, with his daughter armed with a mop.

Aherne also admitted the theft of £5,470.28, which was the weekly takings from Markham Miners Welfare Club on February 25.

Rees gave himself in to police on February 21, while Aherne was arrested in a Cardiff hotel on February 27.

For Aherne, Marion Lewis said “there is no mitigation and can be none”, adding he committed some of the offences as he wanted money to buy drugs. She said he had been refused parole so “acted on impulse” on leaving prison.

Andrew Jones said Rees described leaving prison as “a stupid, mad mistake”. He said he had grown frustrated by the fact that he had not been afforded any trips outside the prison grounds.

Aherne was given 12 months for absconding, 12 months consecutive for assaulting Mr Adal, four years consecutive for attempted robbery at Bargoed and one year concurrent for the attempted theft of the car. He was given an additional six years for attempted robbery of Mr Safdel.

Rees was given consecutive sentences of eight months for absconding and four years for the attempted Bargoed robbery. He also had a concurrent one-year term for the attempted theft of Mrs Williams’ car.

● Nathan Aherne, 24, and Andrea Williams, 33, both of Hillside Avenue, Markham, also pleaded guilty to the theft of £5,470.28, which was the weekly takings from Markham Miners Welfare Club on February 25.

Defence barrister Sarah Waters said they were under “significant pressure and intimidation” from Liam Aherne. They will be sentenced on May 17.

All the victims are left traumatised

IN VICTIM impact statements, Mr Adal said he suffered a broken nose, while he has “really bad nightmares, waking in a cold sweat”. He is now too scared to stay in his kebab shop alone or do deliveries.

Jatwinder Bal Singh also described “recurring nightmares”, while brother Manvinder said he still has pain in his neck from being hit with the hammer. He now fears being in the shop alone and said it is something he doesn’t believe he will be able to overcome.

Despite the trauma the incident has caused, both brothers said they were prepared to go to court if it helped convict the culprits.

Mr Safdel said he has been left “extremely scared” and continually fears somebody is downstairs in his home.

His daughters won’t now stay there alone and he is now considering selling his family home of 25 years as “it doesn’t feel safe”.