Burglar jailed after pepper spray attack

A burglar who sprayed a noxious substance in the face of a woman as he broke into her home has been jailed.

Alex Shaw pointed the pepper spray canister at the victim and others in the house after smashing his way into Albert Road, Retford.

He then turned the canister on two dogs inside the property, while brandishing a knife and a metal bar that he'd used to break in through the front door.

He did this so he could get his hands on a mountain bike, valued around £2,500, which he subsequently stole and fled from the address on.

Detectives used DNA and CCTV evidence to prove Shaw was the intruder during an investigation into the break-in, which took place around 6.30am on 2 June 2024.

Shaw, of Hallcroft Road, Retford, pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary at Nottingham Crown Court on 3 July. 

The 23-year-old was given a ten year extended prison sentence when he appeared before the same court for sentencing on Thursday (19 December).

Shaw will serve the first six years behind bars, before being on licence for the remaining four years of his sentence. 

Graduate Investigator Caitlin Hill, of Nottinghamshire Police, said:

“The occupant of the home and a number of younger people were asleep upstairs when Shaw broke in.

“It must have been a frightening experience even before Shaw turned a cannister of pepper spray on her.

“Detectives worked hard on the case to prove Shaw was the intruder.

“He initially denied spraying the noxious substance at the victim but was forced to admit it after we built a watertight case against him.

“I hope the victim and wider community are comforted by the fact Shaw has been issued with such a significant prison sentence for his actions."