Man jailed following aggravated burglary in Winsford

A man who threatened a vulnerable couple with a hammer during a burglary at their home in Winsford has been jailed.

Thomas Price was sentenced to six years and eight months in prison at Chester Crown Court on Monday 21 February.

The 20-year-old, of Slaters Way, Winsford, had previously pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary.

The court heard how Price was one of two men who broke into the home on St George’s Road on Wednesday 22 December 2022.  

The pair initially knocked on the front door of the address and asked the owners if they wanted their gutters cleaning. 

After being told no, they returned to the address a short time later and went down the side of the property before entering via a rear door. 

Once inside the two men went upstairs and located the elderly occupants in their bedroom where Price threatened them with a claw hammer and demanded that they handed over all their money. 

The pair then went on to search the owner’s personal belongings as the helpless couple sat watching.

Just before leaving the address the pair spotted that one of the victims was wearing gold bangles, which they ripped off the woman’s wrists before fleeing the property. 

During a subsequent investigation, detectives from Northwich Beat Team recovered a catalogue of evidence linking Price to the incident. This included CCTV footage of him parking his white Citroen Berlingo on St George’s Road before carrying out the burglary.

Following the sentencing Police Constable Matthew Uren, who led the investigation, said: “The victims in this case were a vulnerable couple who were simply sat in their bedroom when Price and his accomplice broke in and subjected them to an absolutely terrifying ordeal.

“Not only were the threatened with a claw hammer, but they were forced to sit and watch, fearing for their lives as their bedroom was torn apart by the despicable pair.

“Thankfully, as a result of the information they provided, along with the evidence gathered by the team here at Northwich, Price has now been held accountable for his actions. 
 
“While they will never be able to forget what happened on that day, I hope that the sentence handed to Price will provide them with some closure and allow them to move forward with their lives.” 

Enquiries to identify the second offenders in the case remain ongoing at the current time.

Pictured -  Thomas Price of Slaters Way, Winsford.