A father-of-two who fatally stabbed an armed burglar whilst defending his family has seen the surviving gang members jailed for nearly 70 years after they burst into his Yorkshire home wielding weapons.
Jack Merry, 21, was forced to protect his partner and two young children when six masked intruders stormed his Selby property in the early hours of 24 March 2022, attacking him with a crowbar and their fists.
During the violent struggle, Merry grabbed a knife and stabbed one of the raiders, Nathan Hall, who died at the scene despite the homeowner’s attempts to save his life. The five surviving gang members fled in a getaway vehicle, abandoning their accomplice.
North Yorkshire Police confirmed that Merry faced no criminal charges as he was deemed to have acted in self-defence whilst protecting his family. The surviving burglars have now been sentenced at Leeds Crown Court to a combined total of 68 years and four months in prison.
The gang members sentenced were Alan James Hall, 34, of Selby (brother of the deceased), who received 11 years and four months; Daniel Welford, 32, of Pontefract, jailed for 13 years; Max Jackson, 33, of Stockton on the Forest, York, sentenced to 13 years; Kallan Hunt, 35, of no fixed address, who received 19 years plus five years on extended licence after being deemed a dangerous offender; and Andrew Richardson, 38, of Doncaster, jailed for 11 years and four months.
Merry told the court he was “chilling out” with his partner and friends after 1am when there was a knock at the door. “I looked out and there was nothing,” he said. “They all just popped up from behind the skip by the front door.”
He described how Nathan Hall, wielding “something like a green pole,” hit him on the head with a crowbar whilst others punched him repeatedly. “He tried to hold onto me and the other guy started cracking me on the head with the other pole. That’s when they realise I’ve stabbed him,” Merry testified.
The raiders fled in panic, leaving Hall mortally wounded. Despite the violent attack, Merry and his partner attempted to save Hall’s life, with his partner performing chest compressions whilst they waited for emergency services. Police and paramedics arrived within minutes but were unable to save him.
Detective Sergeant Jon Kenworthy of North Yorkshire Police’s Major Investigation Team said: “This was a pre-meditated, violent and distressing attack on the victims, who were home with two very young children. Violent acts of this nature committed on North Yorkshire communities are rare but will not go unpunished.”
The court heard that the gang had targeted Merry’s home intending to steal drugs. Police later discovered a camouflage bag containing drugs and paraphernalia under a trampoline at an address linked to one of the burglars. A gold chain worth £1,200 and a £1,000 watch were also stolen during the raid.
All five surviving gang members were arrested within 48 hours of the attack following a major manhunt. Forensic evidence proved crucial, with Hall’s blood found at the scene despite his claim that a cut on his hand was from a dog bite. Jackson’s DNA was also discovered on drug paraphernalia, and traces of blood from two burglars were found in the getaway vehicle.
During interviews, only Welford admitted being at the scene but downplayed his involvement, claiming he didn’t know the others’ intentions. Richardson denied any involvement, stating he only went to the scene after learning his friend had been stabbed. The others initially denied involvement but changed their pleas when faced with overwhelming evidence.
Prosecutor Andrew Petterson condemned the gang’s cowardice, stating: “Not one of these men stopped to help their associate. They laid their weapons down, pulled off their masks and ran. Not one of them rang an ambulance. They were more concerned about saving their own skin than saving their friend.”
The case was delayed significantly due to court backlogs, with the trial not beginning until July 2025. Hall and Richardson pleaded guilty on the first day of trial when confronted with forensic evidence. Jackson, Welford and Hunt maintained their innocence but were unanimously convicted by the jury.
Detective Sergeant Kenworthy added: “Today’s outcome sends a clear reminder to anyone who decides to go masked up, tooled up intending to cause acts of violence to people and property, of the risks and the consequences of their decision-making. Any loss of life is a tragedy to the family, and the full circumstances of his death have been impartially and diligently investigated.”
Several members of the police investigation team received Judge’s Commendations for their role in securing the convictions. The case highlights the legal right of homeowners to use reasonable force in defending themselves and their families against violent intruders.
Under UK law, householders can use reasonable force against intruders, and the law recognises that people under extreme stress may not be able to judge exactly what level of force is necessary. The fact that Merry faced no charges demonstrates that authorities deemed his actions proportionate to the threat faced.
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