Woman jailed after plotting for gang of armed robbers to raid ex-boyfriend’s home and attack him

Marie Thompson, left, planned the brutal attack at the property of her ex-partner in Newcastle in 2017. (Northumbria Police/ Google Maps)
Marie Thompson, left, planned the brutal attack at the property of her ex-partner in Newcastle in 2017. (Northumbria Police/ Google Maps)

A woman has been jailed for eight years after she plotted for a gang to raid the home of her ex-boyfriend and “torture him” into handing over cash and bank details.

Marie Thompson, 46, planned the brutal attack, which took place at the property of her ex-partner in Newcastle in 2017.

Newcastle Crown Court heard how she had broken up with the 42-year-old, who has not been identified, in 2015 before moving to her new home in Warwickshire.

The two stayed in contact and on 26 July, 2017, Thompson returned to the North East to visit his home in Walker.

But during her stay two masked men gained entry to the property and launched a sustained and brutal assault on her ex-partner while Thompson stood by and watched.

The men bound the victim’s hands and attacked him with knives. The victim had no inkling that Thompson was involved in the attack.

Marie Thompson, 46, was jailed for 8 years planning a brutal attack at the property in Newcastle in 2017. (Northumbria Police)
Marie Thompson, 46, was jailed for eight years after planning the brutal attack. (Northumbria Police)

The man sustained multiple stab wounds after being tortured by the men into handing over cash and his bank details.

They eventually fled the house and said they were going to ‘“kidnap” Thompson – before trying to douse their victim in alcohol and set him on fire.

Police were called and a search operation was launched to locate Thompson, who was thought to have been taken by the men.

Detectives visited one of Thompson’s friends in Walker and quickly discovered evidence that she had conspired with associates in the Midlands to carry out the violent burglary.

Thompson, of Rugby, Warwickshire, was arrested at her home in Rugby three days later, and was charged with conspiracy to commit robbery.

She admitted the charge and was brought before Newcastle Crown Court on Friday, where she was jailed for eight years.

Thompson returned to Newcastle to visit her ex-boyfriend's home on in Walker after moving to Warwickshire. (Google Maps)
Thompson returned to Newcastle to visit her ex-boyfriend's home on in Walker after moving to Warwickshire. (Google Maps)

Detective Constable Carol Davison of Northumbria Police said: “This was a violent and sustained attack that left the victim with a number of serious injuries.

“He was understandably terrified and thought he was going to die as he was repeatedly attacked by the masked men.

“When the attack was eventually over he was very distressed as he thought his ex-partner had been kidnapped by a gang of violent thieves.

“Unbeknown to him, Marie Thompson was involved in hatching the plan that had left his body peppered with stab wounds.

“She was eventually tracked down and a haul of evidence was gathered that ultimately proved she was complicit in the plot to rob her ex-partner.

“Now she is facing a lengthy spell behind bars and I hope that it brings some comfort to the victim knowing that justice has been served.”

Thompson’s partner at the time of the offence, Mark Gibson, 53, is currently wanted by police in relation to the robbery.