Mum wants gunman to be jailed

Mrs Scammell, 62, of Longcroft Road, Devizes, was confronted by Ricky Wilson-Rose when she was unpacking shopping from her car on February 12.

She struggled with Wilson-Rose, 18, of Rendells Court, Devizes, and tried to push him out of her hall, but he pushed her back and she was hit in the face suffering bruising and scratches.

He pointed an imitation gun at her stomach and then snatched her car keys from her hand and drove off in her car.

Neighbour Susan Baross came to help Mrs Scammell and the police arrested Wilson-Rose in the stolen car 25 minutes later.

On Monday, Wilson-Rose pleaded guilty at Salisbury Crown Court to possessing an imitation firearm with intent to cause Mrs Scammell to believe that unlawful violence would be used, and also guilty to taking her VW Golf car without permission.

Charges of robbery and possession of an imitation firearm were dropped.

Wilson-Rose has been remanded in custody since the offence and Mrs Scammell said she hopes when he is sentenced next month he will be sent to prison.

She said: "I hope he gets a sentence that is fitting for what he has done. I hope he gets two to three years in prison at least."

Mrs Scammell, who is married with two grown-up children, said the incident had changed her. She said: "Since it happened I have not been able to work in the evenings. I am nervous of people coming to my door and walking behind me. I was off work for six weeks after it happened.

"I didn't know at the time that what he was pointing at me was a gun. When I was told it was a gun I went to pieces."

Wilson-Rose has written a letter to Mrs Scammell asking for forgiveness but she is sceptical about his remorse.

She said: "I was angry when I read the letter. He just wants me to feel sorry for him. I can't forgive him for what he did."

Wilson-Rose's co-accused Luke Coleman, 18, of Eastleigh Road, Devizes, was found not guilty by a jury on the same charges.