Two men were sentenced to nine and a half years each in prison for robbery with a firearm following a week long trial.

At Carlisle Crown Court on Friday, March 27, Simon Cowen and Shaidul Islam were found guilty of robbery after a week long trial.

Simon Cowen, 59 of Lightfoot Drive, Carlisle was sentenced for robbery and possessing a weapon for the discharge of an electrical incapacitation device.

Cowen was made subject of an indefinite restraining order not to contact the victim.

Shaidul Islam, 36, of Carleton Road, Carlisle was sentenced for robbery and possession of a firearm while committing a schedule 1 offence.

Speaking on the case, Detective Inspector Lee Brumpton from Cumberland CID, said: “This was a terrifying ordeal for the victim.

“Cowen and Islam worked together to orchestrate the robbery.

“Cowen facilitating access to the property and leaving just before the offence took place and Islam carrying out the robbery.

“The use of any firearm or imitation firearm to commit offences can have deadly consequences and they have no place in our community.”

The court heard that on the morning of 10 June 2025, the victim a woman was home alone on Holly Drive, Carlisle.

The woman was awoken to someone in her bedroom, where a male, identified as Islam was standing in the doorway with what was described to officers as a black handgun but could have been an imitation firearm.

The victim challenged the male who said ‘Give us your money or you’re going to get shot.’

Islam held what appeared to be a black handgun to the victim’s head before a struggle resulting in the victim suffering a bloody nose.

The victim threatened to call the police; however, Islam stole two phones in the victim’s possession.

Islam then asked the victim to open a safe, when refused, he made further threats until she opened the safe, where Islam stole a number of items including jewellery from within.

The victim managed to escape the property locking Islam in however he managed to escape leaving the area in a taxi.

Enquiries into the taxi company identified the male collected following the robbery fit the description of Islam who was dropped off at Carleton Road.

On June 12, Officers attended Carleton Road and arrested Islam.

A search of his premises located a number of items linking him to the robbery including blue disposable gloves, a white envelope containing jewellery and clothes matching the description of the male in the robbery.

Detectives investigating the robbery identified Cowen, the victims then partner had left the property minutes before the offence.

He was also arrested on June 12, in connection with he offence.

Enquiries into this mobile phone seized found messages between him and Islam on the morning of the robbery.

These messages implicated both in the planning of the robbery and included ‘leave door open dog away’ and ‘plenty of stuff there yeah’ and ‘I’m almost there’.