Men jailed over fellow burglar's death during raid

Two burglars who broke into a mobile home during a botched raid that saw an accomplice killed have been jailed.

Taylor Green, 22, died from stab wounds inflicted by the owner of the static caravan on 25 February 2025 near Lodge Lane Industrial Estate in Tuxford, Nottinghamshire, after Green and three others broke in brandishing weapons.

Prosecutors previously told Nottingham Crown Court that David McCandless and Mason Meanwell had planned and carried out a violent burglary, creating a situation in which Green was stabbed as the householder defended himself in a legally justified way.

McCandless, 44, and Meanwell, 25, were each jailed for 12 years and six months at the same court on Friday.

The trial had heard the four men - Green, McCandless, Meanwell and another who has not been identified - broke into the mobile home while brandishing weapons.

After they had "smashed" through the front door, the men were heard shouting "chop him, chop him, get the money" as they stormed into the bedroom.

Ethan Arnold and his partner had been in bed at the time, and he took a knife to defend himself before confronting the intruders.

Green was fatally stabbed by the occupant during a violent confrontation that the court heard lasted about two minutes.

A victim impact statement from Arnold said he was "nervous" and "on edge" when each day comes to the time when the attack took place, and said he "didn't want anything like this to happen".

"I have heard that [Green] had three children – this does play on my mind," he said.

"I was attacked when we were nearly naked, I had to fight back as I was very scared, [not only] for me but also for my girlfriend."

In a statement she read out in court, Green's mother Sasha said her son's death had "completely and permanently shattered" her family's lives, and said his three children "have been cruelly robbed of his guidance, his protection and his love".

"He was the best thing that ever happened to me," she said.

"Whatever the circumstances of that night, nothing can justify the loss of his life."

Defending Meanwell, of Byron Close in Newark, Michael Magarian KC said his client had been deeply affected by the death of Green, who he had known since he was 14.

"This man was his closest friend," he said.

"He didn't directly cause his death [and] he has been traumatised by the events of that evening."

Brendan Kelly KC, representing McCandless, who lived at Wright Street in Newark, said there was "no animus directed towards the deceased" by the defendant, who he described as "a late recruit" to the conspiracy.

Sentencing, Judge Michael Soole said the plan was "largely hatched" by Green and Meanwell, which involved a large amount of preparatory work and reconnaissance, and was "a terrifying incident with lasting consequences" for Arnold and his partner.

While acknowledging there was no intent to kill Green on behalf of the defendants, he said their involvement in a dangerous conspiracy meant there was a "responsibility" they shared for his death.

"There was an obvious risk that someone would be harmed," he said.

"Whatever precise role each [of you] played in the two frenzied minutes, all share equal responsibility."

Following sentencing, Janine McKinney, from the Crown Prosecution Service, said the defendants "knew their actions would be harmful", adding Green's death "would not have happened" without their scheming.

"These defendants planned this attack and went armed and ready for violence," she said.

"They acted out of greed on a false premise of making easy money through violence.

"Their friend lost his life as a result."

Nottinghamshire Police said officers "have been unable to find any evidence to prosecute the fourth person", but urged anyone who has any information on their identity to contact the force.

Det Insp Clare Gibson: "Our thoughts remain with all those affected by this incident and its consequences."

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