Burglar jailed for Steven Gerrard raid

An “extremely violent” burglar was jailed Monday for threatening to abduct the children of England captain Steven Gerrard during a raid on the Liverpool midfielder’s home.

Martin Wilson, 22, was part of a mob who smashed their way into the Reds skipper’s mansion while he was away playing for Liverpool in the Champions League in December 2007.

Gerrard’s wife Alex Curran confronted the gang, who demanded she hand over jewellery and the contents of a safe or else they would “take her kids”, Liverpool Crown Court in northwest England heard.

The couple’s two children are now aged six and four.

Wilson pleaded guilty to the burglary last month. He was sentenced Monday to serve seven years and four months in prison.

“You threatened the occupants of the house with violence and the use of a knife,” judge Robert Warnock said.

“Particularly seriously, you threatened to abduct the children if she did not hand over the safe.

“You are both venal and extremely violent. You have no regard for the dignity and security that is the right of every householder.

“Your actions are determined by your own selfishness and greed.”

Wilson’s sentence will run concurrently to a six-year and eight-month term he is already serving after admitting conspiracy to burgle last June.

Monday’s sentence is expected to add another two years to his total time in prison.

Gerrard, 30, is training with the England squad in South Africa ahead of the World Cup.

England’s Group C campaign gets under way on Saturday against the United States in Rustenburg.

Gerrard took over the England captaincy after Manchester United defender Rio Ferdinand had to withdraw from the 23-man squad due to a knee injury.