TWO men arrested in connection with an armed robbery of a Sunningdale family who initially pleaded guilty have changed their please to ‘not guilty’. According to Capt Raymond Deokaran, spokesman for the Durban North SAPS, one of the suspects was later identified as the homeowner’s gardener.

The incident which occurred in July, saw the suspects hold up a Meadow Lane mom and three children with a hammer and a panga. What’s more the family were tied up and locked in a bedroom during the traumatic ordeal which lasted for two hours.

“They initially pleaded guilty to the charges of house robbery and were due to be sentenced on Wednesday last week. However when they appeared in front of the magistrate, they changed their minds and pleaded not guilty. We believe they were told by hardened criminals in prison to change their plea. They have been remanded back into custody at Westville Prison awaiting their next court date,” he said.

Deokaran added police had been unable to link the duo to other crimes in the greater Durban area.