Terrified pensioner struck burglar over head after finding him downstairs in middle of the night

Shamus Doyle was left to rue breaking into a pensioner's home

A burglar who was chased out of a house by a pensioner has been jailed after returning to the address and throwing a brick though a window.

Shamus Doyle woke a 75-year-old man after breaking into his semi-detached property, in Lawrence Street, Newark, in the early hours of 19 February this year.

Afraid for his safety, the pensioner grabbed a glass bottle before confronting the intruder and hitting him over the head.

Nottingham Crown Court heard Doyle fled the scene but reappeared in the man’s back garden a short time later with a brick in his hand.

He threatened to strike the frightened pensioner but again fled the scene when told the police were on the way.

As he ran off, he threw the brick through the pensioner's living room window.

Shamus Doyle threw a brick through his victim's window

Officers arrived and located Doyle a short distance away with a bloodied head.

The 34-year-old, of no fixed address, was handcuffed and taken to hospital for treatment, before being transferred into custody for questioning.

During his police interview, he denied burgling the pensioner’s home and provided a wavering and inconsistent account relating to his head injury – insisting he’d got into a fight at a park.

Officers observed his appearance and clothing matched the description provided by the burglary victim, with CCTV footage showing Doyle in the vicinity of the pensioner’s home around the time of the break-in.

He was charged when his blood was found at the pensioner’s home. 

Doyle went on to plead guilty to burglary, criminal damage and using threatening, abusive or insulting words or behaviour to cause a person harassment, alarm or distress.   

He appeared at Nottingham Crown Court on Friday (16 August) and was jailed for two years and 174 days.

Detective Constable Phil James, of 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.

“Despite this, he managed to display great resilience in assisting us with our investigation and I hope this sentence brings him some comfort.

“The force treats all reports of burglary seriously and continues to work tirelessly all year round to prevent incidents from happening in the first place.

“Members of the public can have faith that reports will be investigated, and we will relentlessly pursue individuals believed to be responsible for these sorts of upsetting crimes.”