**Family Left Traumatised After Armed Robbery Ordeal in Llansamlet Home**
A family in Llansamlet, Swansea, is struggling to rebuild their lives after being subjected to a harrowing armed robbery at their residence. The incident, which occurred on the evening of 13 March 2025, has left both emotional scars and a lingering sense of vulnerability, with the victims expressing that their sense of safety in their own home has been shattered.
The shocking sequence of events unfolded while the married couple and their teenage daughter were spending a quiet night at home. It was reported in Swansea Crown Court that their calm was abruptly shattered around 10:30pm, when the family’s dog ran towards the front door, alerting the husband to an unusual disturbance. Upon investigation, he was confronted by two men wearing masks, one brandishing a knife and the other a hammer.
Despite their attempts to disguise themselves, one of the raiders was immediately identified by the couple as Larry Black, a 38-year-old local man. According to prosecution barrister Brian Simpson, the second masked assailant remains unidentified and at large, as Black has refused to cooperate with police on the matter. The anxiety surrounding the unknown accomplice’s identity only adds to the family’s distress.
Under threat, the intruders aggressively demanded cash and gold from their victims. The arrival of the teenage daughter downstairs reportedly heightened the tension, as the family was forced to comply while their daughter became overcome with panic. The armed men used cable ties to restrain all three family members, an experience that, according to victim impact statements, left them terrified and traumatised.
During the ordeal, the husband was threatened at knifepoint and pushed towards the stairs in pursuit of valuables. As desperation mounted, the intruders made repeated threats, escalating pressure on the family to reveal the location of any money or jewellery. In an unexpected turn, one of the family’s dogs bit Black on the leg, which prompted the robbers to hastily snatch £500 in cash from the coffee table—a sum that belonged to the couple’s son following the sale of an e-bike—and flee the scene.
The swift police response led to Black’s arrest a week later. Police found him hiding beneath bedclothes at a property he was staying in. During interrogation, Black initially exercised his right to remain silent but later confessed his involvement, citing drug addiction as his motive for participating in the crime. He admitted to spending his share of the proceeds on heroin and crack cocaine.
Legal proceedings revealed a troubling history for Black, who, prior to this incident, had accumulated convictions for burglary, shoplifting, battery, and previous robberies. He had only recently been released from prison before carrying out the Llansamlet home invasion.
During sentencing, Judge Paul Thomas KC condemned the severe psychological impact of the robbery, remarking that the family had their lives upended while simply enjoying an evening together. He described their ordeal as “the worst imaginable intrusions on personal security,” highlighting how crimes of this nature have lasting effects on victims’ well-being and sense of safety.
Black, of Waunarlwydd, Swansea, received an extended sentence totalling 13 years, comprising eight years in custody with an additional five years to be served on licence. The judge stressed that Black is considered a dangerous offender, with parole eligibility only possible after serving two-thirds of his sentence. Furthermore, Black was sternly warned that any future offences of a similar nature could result in a life sentence.
As the family and community grapple with the aftermath of this crime, the case underscores persistent concerns regarding home security and the challenge of supporting victims after traumatic events. Police continue efforts to identify Black’s accomplice, appealing to anyone with information to come forward.
The victims now face the difficult task of facing their fear and re-establishing a sense of normalcy, with neighbours and friends offering support as best they can, while the authorities reiterate their commitment to delivering justice and ensuring such violence does not go unpunished.