A balaclava-clad burglar who carried out a terrifying home invasion armed with a screwdriver was arrested later that day after being hit by a car.
Robert Jones and an unknown accomplice burgled a family home in Peterlee on August 13 this year and threatened to stab the mum of the house if she didn't hand over money. The 26-year-old, who had been drinking and taking cocaine, then searched the home as the woman's two grown-up children remained upstairs before he made-off with two bottles of aftershave.
But a "bizarre karmic pay-back" occurred later on that day when Jones was ran over by a car and broke his leg as his accomplice did a runner and left him behind. When police arrived at the scene, they found the stolen bottles of aftershave nearby and his balaclava and gloves were found on him.
Read more: Banned Crook driver led police on dangerous chase before jumping out of moving van
Jones, of Peter Lee Cottages, Wheatley Hill, Durham, appeared at Durham Crown Court on Thursday via link from HMP Durham to be sentenced for aggravated burglary. He had pleaded guilty to the offence.
Daniel Penman, prosecuting, said the burglary happened at around 8am at a home that was occupied at the time by a mum and her two adult children. After hearing a noise, the mum went downstairs to find Jones and another person - both wearing balaclavas - at the back door gesturing at her to open up. Mr Penman said: "They then started kicking the back door in and they came inside the home. They were wearing dark clothing and gloves and the defendant - who was the more aggressive - had a screwdriver in his hand."
Jones then began demanding car keys for a BMW that was parked outside, but the woman told them it wasn't her car. Jones was then shouting: "Where's the money?" before he "threatened to stab" her before searching the home. Mr Penman said: "They conducted a search of the rest of the property upstairs with the defendant saying: 'Give me money or I'm going to stab you'.
The woman then told her daughter to get back in her bedroom before Jones went to the son's room and took bottles of aftershave. Jones then smashed the mum's mobile phone to prevent her from calling the police before fleeing.
Mr Penman added: "Later, there was a road traffic accident where this defendant was run over and broke his femur. His accomplice made off on foot. The defendant was searched by police and a mask, gloves and a screwdriver were found. The aftershave was found nearby." Jones was arrested and he was later picked out by the woman during an identity line up.
The court heard Jones had 10 previous convictions for 18 offences, including one incident where he used a saw to cut someone's torso. He was also convicted of an affray in 2018 where he threatened to petrol-bomb a home. At the time of the aggravated burglary, Jones was subject to a community order.
Rebecca Brown, defending, said Jones had entered guilty pleas, which was an "indication or his genuine remorse". She said: "He wishes to pass on his apologies. The major reason for this offending was due to negative peer influence, poor thinking skills, and drugs and alcohol. These are all factors that can hopefully be addressed in prison." Ms Brown added that Jones, who is a father, is struggling in prison due to having a "metal rod" in his femur and is in "constant pain and discomfort".
Judge James Adkin said the burglary must have been "completely terrifying" for the victims and said it was "not entirely clear" why the home was targeted. He added that it was "bizarre karmic payback" that he was hit by a car after the burglary and broke his leg.
Jones was labelled a dangerous offender and was given an extended determinate prison sentence totalling 126 months, 90 of which will be a custodial element, the rest will be served on licence.
Read next:
- The latest County Durham fish-seller put behind bars for scamming elderly customers out of thousands
- Stanley man who was 'spoiling for a fight' gouged partner's eyes during caravan holiday
- Dangerous driver led police on early-hours chase through South Shields before smashing into railings
- Gateshead man 'ragged around' ex-partner by hair and strangled her after climbing through window
- Former County Durham jockey turned fraudster set up fraudulent Halifax account and spent £10,000
