Burglar attacked elderly man on his doorstep with a hammer

A burglar who attacked an elderly man on his doorstep with a hammer for just £30 in cash and his bank card has been sent to prison for more than a decade.

Michael Janes, 48, threatened the victim and tried to get into his home in Cockerell Road, Cambridge, on the afternoon of 9 September.

He was blocked by the man, who is in his 70s, but Janes used the hammer to hit him on the head, causing him to fall backwards.

The man was then struck to the head with the hammer a further three times, leaving him struggling to see through the blood running down his face.

Janes fled with accomplice Mariza Main, 51, who had originally knocked on the victim’s door claiming she was a neighbour and needed money for a taxi.

The elderly man got to his feet and noticed his wallet had been stolen, which contained his bank cards, £30 in cash, his bus pass and library card.

Shortly afterwards he received a text telling him his card had been used to spend nearly £50 at a service station in Elizabeth Way, Cambridge – a mile and a half away – to buy vodka, tobacco and two burgers. A further transaction for £23 was declined.

The man was treated for deep cuts to his head at hospital.

Janes and Main were caught on CCTV at the service station and were arrested at their home in Whitfield Close, Cambridge, where the items purchased at the service station were recovered. Officers also found £29 in cash in Main’s handbag.

In police interview, Main answered no comment to all questions, while Janes provided a prepared statement claiming he had played no part in the incident or the attack on the man.

However, Janes later pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary and fraud by false representation. He also admitted another burglary – namely breaking into a dental practice in Chesterton Road, Cambridge, on 7 May last year.

He caused more than £430 of damage by smashing the practice’s windows and was linked to the crime by leaving blood at the scene. Janes also stole a vape from a detention officer’s bag after his arrest – and admitted the theft.

Main pleaded guilty to burglary and fraud. Both were sentenced at Peterborough Crown Court on Thursday (15 May) where Janes was handed an extended sentence of 11 years and nine months after the judge took into account his risk to the public. Main was given four years behind bars.

DC Lisa Bacon, who investigated, said: “I cannot imagine the fear the victim must have felt when he was attacked with a weapon in his own home.

“I am pleased the courts took this offence so seriously and the prison sentences reflect this. I hope it also serves as a deterrent for others who think they can get away with, or escape lightly from, similar offending.

“The impact on the victim cannot be underestimated – he has been left with permanent tinnitus in both ears, his balance is affected and overall, he feels the ordeal has aged him. He has been left feeling vulnerable in his own home.

“Burglary is an invasion of a home – the place you should feel safest. It can have a huge impact on victims, not only because of sentimental and irreplaceable items stolen, but also the devastation of no longer feeling safe.

“This is why tackling it is one of our priorities and we are working hard every day to bring offenders before the courts.”