Knife horror of man who confronted thieves

A wealthy businessman who confronted two "remorseless" car thieves was left fighting for his life after they slashed his face and repeatedly stabbed him in a bid to escape.

Gerald Priechenfried, 41, gave chase after disturbing the raiders who were trying to break into his riverside home, where they intended to steal the keys to his Range Rover.

But then they stopped running and "squared up" to him - one producing a knife and passing it to the other, who plunged it first into his side and then his back.

A third blow laid open his face from scalp to mouth and penetrated his skin so deeply it left a gaping hole in his cheek.

It was only when the powerfully built victim shouted at his assailants that he realised how serious his injuries were.

Today the two men who attacked Mr Priechenfried - a 6ft 4in rugby player who captains the Richmond Heavies team - in February last year were sent to prison for burglary and for wounding him with intent to do grievous bodily harm.

Passing sentencing at Inner London Crown Court, Judge Gregory Stone told Robert Oliver, 24, and Rae Johnson, 50: "You both went out that night to steal a high-value and powerful motor car.

"You went around with a knife - and I'm satisfied that you had that knife to use, if it was necessary to injure somebody."

He said the theft of the car had been "carefully planned", pointing out that the men had set about it by inserting a bamboo stick through the letterbox. Mr Priechenfried challenged Oliver and Johnson as they tried to hook out the car keys with the stick .

They at first ran away. "But," the judge continued, "you then deliberately squared up for a confrontation with him, realising that there were two of you and that there was a weapon at your disposal."

Judge Stone added that, though Johnson had delivered the blows, they were both responsible for the wounding. Oliver had been the one to hand the knife to his partner, a career criminal.

"You were subsequently observed in prison discussing this offence and taking evident pleasure in your actions," the judge said. "That is real cause of concern. There has not been a jot of remorse in either of you, and you have shown yourselves to be dangerous criminals."

Oliver was given 13 years in prison and Johnson, who pleaded guilty, 11 years and nine months

As the judge passed sentence Oliver - who has a string of previous convictions for burglary, theft and handling stolen goods - tried to walk away from the dock, shouting: "Get out of my way."

During their trial, the court was told how Mr Priechenfried had noticed the two men "looking suspicious" standing in the alleyway opposite his home in Feltham Avenue, East Molesey. When they disappeared from sight he dashed into his daughter's room to get a better view, but the pair were nowhere to be seen.

It was as he walked back across the landing that he spotted the stick being poked through his letterbox.

Giving evidence two days ago, he recalled: "I was livid, it's a massive intrusion. I immediately shouted out to stop the process, I had two young children upstairs.

"I leapt down the stairs at 100 miles an hour. I pulled the door open and the two guys were no longer there, though I must have seen where they went because I knew exactly which direction to run in."

He added: "I got round the corner and saw them. I had no plan as to what to do, my defence mechanism kicked in and I went off like a hare."

At the end of the confrontation Mr Priechenfried staggered back to his home and collapsed with his cheek gaping open and a badly cut ear.

Johnson, of Teddington - a "stocky, bald-headed", man variously described by witnesses as a British bulldog type reminiscent of vocalist Buster Bloodvessel of Bad Manners fame - admitted burglary and wounding with intent to do GBH.

It was only today, the third day of the trial, that Oliver, of Fulham, also admitted his guilt.

Both, on direction of the judge, were found not guilty of attempted murder.