Burglar chased out of house by owner jailed

Shamus Doyle was taken to hospital before being transferred into custody, police said

A burglar who was chased out of a house he tried to rob by its 75-year-old owner has been jailed.

Nottinghamshire Police said Shamus Doyle later returned to the house on Lawrence Street in Newark, Nottinghamshire, and threw a brick through a window.

The 34-year-old, of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to burglary, criminal damage and using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour.

He was sentenced to two years and 174 days in prison following a hearing at Nottingham Crown Court on 16 August.

Police said Doyle returned to the property and threw a brick through a window

Police said the house was targeted by Doyle on 19 February, and the occupier "grabbed a glass bottle before confronting the intruder and hitting him over the head" to defend his home.

Doyle fled the scene but returned shortly afterwards in the garden armed with a brick, but ran away when told police were arriving.

Officers found him nearby with a bloodied head, and he was arrested.

Doyle denied burglary and said he had been in a fight in a park, but he was charged when his blood was found in the property, and he eventually admitted his crimes.

Det Con Phil James, from Nottinghamshire Police, said: "This was a truly appalling crime that demonstrates the depths of what some criminals are prepared to do.

"Burglary is an intrusive crime anyway, but for Doyle to subject a man aged in his 70s to a terrifying ordeal like this is truly shocking.

"The victim demonstrated incredible bravery in confronting Doyle and was understandably affected by the events of that night."

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