Brave Daughter Foils Armed Robbers Who Threatened to Burn Her With Iron

A 22-year-old woman’s quick thinking saved her and her mother from a terrifying ordeal in February 2023 when robbers posing as police officers raided their £2.5 million Poole Harbour home.

Emily Aitchison and her mother, Kerry, were held at gunpoint by Ashley Fulton and his accomplice, who tricked their way into the house dressed in fake police uniforms.

The robbers, who were looking to steal from the family, threatened to shoot Kerry in front of Emily if they did not open a safe.

The robbers terrorised Emily, dragging her by the hair, threatening to burn her with an iron, and making multiple attempts to force her to reveal the safe’s code. Emily bravely fumbled the code twice before telling them a third attempt would trigger the alarm. The robbers panicked and fled, ransacking the house and stealing over £200,000 worth of luxury watches, handbags, jewellery, and cash.

They pulled Emily around the house by her hair and threatened to burn her with an iron (Picture: Linkedin/Emily Aitchison)

Emily and Kerry were left traumatised, but their quick thinking helped prevent the robbery from escalating further. Despite the ordeal, the robbers made several mistakes that led to their capture. DNA evidence, CCTV footage, and mobile phone records led police to Fulton and his accomplice.

At Bournemouth Crown Court, Judge William Mousley sentenced Fulton to life in prison, with a minimum term of nine years and 192 days before parole can be considered. The judge praised Emily and Kerry for their courage in providing victim impact statements, highlighting the severe psychological toll the crime had on the family.

Fulton, who was diagnosed with a personality disorder, admitted to charges of robbery, possession of an imitation firearm, fraud, and other offences related to the heist. He had also been found guilty of possessing ID documents with fraudulent intent and had previously been involved in criminal activity.

Fulton was handed a life sentence (Picture: Dorset Police/BNPS)

Despite the family’s ordeal, none of the stolen valuables were recovered, leaving them to deal with the emotional and financial aftermath. Kerry Aitchison expressed how the robbery shattered their sense of security, saying their home, once a haven, had become a crime scene where she feared for their lives.

Judge Mousley emphasised the danger Fulton posed to the public and said that his sentence reflected the crime’s severity and risk of reoffending. He offered his support to the Aitchison family, expressing hope they could begin to heal from the trauma they endured.