Prolific burglar jailed for six years
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A burglar who hit an old man with a hammer because he was convinced he had drugs has been jailed.
Michael Ainsley threatened the elderly victim when he broke into his home in Chester-le-Street in September, demanding to know where the “gear” was.
Despite the victim telling him he didn’t have any, Ainsley hit him with the hammer, causing injury to his hand before ransacking the house and leaving empty handed.
Neighbourhood officers rushed to the scene to safeguard the victim and were soon able to identify Ainsley from footage of the attack.
The 41-year-old, of Chester-le-Street, was promptly arrested.
And despite refusing to answer any questions in interview, Ainsley was charged with aggravated burglary and put before the courts.
He initially opted to go to trial but later changed his plea to guilty given the evidence against him and was sentenced to six years in prison when he appeared at Teesside Crown Court on Thursday (November 27).
He was also ordered to pay costs.
DC Robin McGurk, who led the investigation, said: “Ainsley put this man through a terrifying ordeal. Thanks to local officers who recognised him, he is now behind bars where he belongs.”