Terrifying armed robbers pulled hammer and gun on victims inside Coventry homes

[dutchman]

Matthew Tennant and Kevin Swigler were jailed at Warwick Crown Court



Two men have each been jailed for nearly a decade after a pair of 'terrifying' armed robberies in Coventry. Matthew Tennant and Kevin Swigler targeted two homes in August 2025, breaking in and threatening the occupants with weapons.

In the first burglary, Tennant and Swigler smashed a window and threatened a man with a crowbar and hammer, forcing him to hand over his car keys. Just hours later, they forced their way into another property and threatened the occupant with a handgun.

Tennant, 37, and Swigler, 40, stole several items and then fled. Police spotted the pair in a suspected stolen car on Raglan Street. When it failed to stop, a chase ensued towards Brook Close.

Cornered at a dead end, Tennant and Swigler were arrested. Officers found a handgun inside the car, but forensic analysis showed it was a BB gun altered to appear genuine.

Tennant and Swigler were each jailed for nine and a half years at Warwick Crown Court last Friday. Detective Sergeant Jay Aston, of Coventry CID, described the level of violence and intimidation as 'truly shocking.'

He said: “Thankfully, neither of the people they targeted were seriously injured, though the psychological impact of these crimes cannot be underestimated. Our officers acted swiftly to intercept and arrest these dangerous individuals, and the team of officers involved can be rightly proud of their efforts.

“PC Sarah Doran worked tirelessly to build the case against these two, and the high standard of her investigation was instrumental in securing these charges and convictions. Violent crimes like this have no place on the streets of Coventry, and we will continue to pursue anyone who thinks they can get away with this type of offending.”

https://www.coventrytelegraph.net/news/coventry-news/two-men-jailed-after-terrifying-33471645