How a crime has changed a family's life

Bernard Dwyer chased the gang out of his home (Pic: Central News)

A wealthy businessman and his wife have told the Old Bailey of the horrendous consequences of the night their family was targeted by two brothers who had earlier killed an elderly woman restaurant owner.

Dean and Michael Atkins were jailed for life on Wednesday for murdering Kam Chung in the early hours of 6 November 2006 and aggravated burglary at the home of Bernard Dwyer.

Their accomplice, Thomas Carty, 21, hanged himself while awaiting trial.

Mr Dwyer, who is a successful scaffolding contractor, was at home in Uxbridge with his son Danny, 18, and 13-year-old daughter Aisling.

Mr Dwyer, who fought the gang and chased them out of his home, suffered 34 injuries, some of which have left him with permanent scars.

We tried to sell the family home but must disclose what happened there...and this naturally puts off potential buyers Bernard Dwyer 'Hero' father talks of terror

But in a victim impact statement read out to the court, Mr Dwyer said the "horrendous attack" had damaged his family in more serious ways.

His wife, Jane, said since that night their daughter had "changed from being a bright girl to a sad confused one".

She said Aisling was so terrified and traumatised by the events she was unable to sleep alone or be in the house on her own and insisted on locking all internal doors.

Mrs Dwyer said she behaved "like a frightened rabbit", suffered nightmares and had lost half a stone in weight.

She also insists on having the curtains drawn and "cowers" if a car pulls up outside.

The Atkins brothers will be sentenced on Wednesday

Mr Dwyer, who runs a global business with big contracts in Dubai and the Bahamas, said his daughter had not let him leave the country since the attack.

He said if he was ever away overnight, his wife and daughter would have to stay with friends or book into a hotel.

Mr Dwyer said they had tried to leave the house, which held such terrible memories for them.

'Expect to be shot'

But he said: "We tried to sell the family home but must disclose what happened there on the night of 6 November 2006 and this naturally puts off potential buyers."

He said they would now have to sell the house at a loss. He said in the meantime he had fitted CCTV cameras and internal bars on the doors.

Mr Dwyer said he also feared for their son, socialising locally, in case he met associates of the Atkins brothers.

He said he feared criminal associates of the Atkins brothers would return and he said: "I expect to be shot."

Mr Dwyer said: "My words cannot adequately describe the impact. We will be suffering the repercussions of 6 November 2006 for the rest of our lives."

Sentencing the brothers, Judge Steven Kramer QC said: "The attack on Mrs Chung was pitiless and brutal."

He ordered the pair to stay behind bars for a minimum of 35 years.