The man was one of a pair of thugs who attempted a robbery at Goldenhurst, Oakfield Drive in November 1987. The man and his accomplice waited in a car outside the house for Dr. Lowther to leave before making their move. As they entered the house, they noticed a light was on and the front door was unlocked but they went ahead with the robbery anyway. The noise alerted Joan Lowther and Hilda Ogden, who were in another room packing, causing them to investigate and discover the pair. Panicking, the men subdued the women and fled - the first man held his hand over Mrs. Lowther's mouth, causing her to collapse, and the second man knocked Hilda over, hitting her head on a table.