An armed thug who subjected a Dargate couple to a terrifying ordeal has been jailed for 12 years.

The attack only ended when quick-thinking businessman Onal Tevfik faked a heart attack after three armed burglars burst into his home in the early hours, a court heard.

The ploy worked and the gang fled with £2,000 in cash from the secluded detached four-bedroom house in Dargate, near Faversham, leaving behind £1,000 in their haste.

But not before fish and chip shop owner Onal Tevfik - also known as Ernie - was pistol-whipped and his terrified wife Linda was dragged into a toilet.

One of the men, Ahmed Momoh, was arrested after his fingerprint was found on the cloakroom door.

A jury convicted him this week of aggravated burglary and possessing an imitation firearm.

He would normally be released at the halfway point, but because he was recalled on an indefinite sentence he could remain in jail even longer.

The 24-year-old, of Grove Street, Deptford, south east London, denied both charges.

The two others have not been brought to justice.

Maidstone Crown Court was told the couple, who own Dean’s Plaice in Herne Bay and Ian’s Plaice in Whitstable, were in bed at about 2am on May 22 when they were confronted by the intruders armed with an imitation gun, an iron bar and a knife.

All three demanded money throughout the 15 minute ordeal.

Fearing his wife might be raped after she was taken to the toilet, Mr Tevfik began panting and clutching his chest, feigning a heart attack.

He was so convincing his wife believed he was genuinely ill when she saw him propped against a wall. But her fear turned to relief when he gave her a thumbs-up sign and winked.

The gang then panicked and fled.

Within days, Mrs Tevfik identified three men from Facebook photos.

But prosecutor Bridget Todd said the police could not rely on such evidence. Momoh, however, left behind the fingerprint.

In March 2006 at the age of 15, he was sentenced at Snaresbrook Crown Court to imprisonment for public protection for robbery.

The minimum term to be served before parole would be considered was 18 months, but he served a total of eight years before his release in November last year.

Frida Hussain, defending, said of Momoh’s recall: “He is in custody indefinitely. It is a life sentence in effect.”

Passing sentence, Recorder Paul Taylor said: “Anyone hearing the facts of this case would be horrified by them.

There is great concern you are institutionalised already.”

---

Stories you might have missed

Body at church confirmed as suspicious death

Subway sealed off after assault

Sexual predator guilty of terrifying knifepoint attack

Teen dies in Calais trying to board lorry destined for Dover

---