A man from Brentwood has been jailed for 14 years for committing an aggravated burglary and a robbery.
William Casey, of Horseman Side, was linked to the two offences by forensic evidence.
The 21-year-old admitted his role in both the burglary and robbery which have been described as “violent and frightening” by Essex Police.
Casey and another man broke into a house in Pilgrims Hatch, on Thursday, 23 November 2017 and threatened a 46-year-old woman who had been asleep at the time.
The burglars, who were armed with a crowbar and a screwdriver, demanded money and jewellery and destroyed her mobile phone when she attempted to call police.
They left with a necklace and earrings worth hundreds of pounds.
On Wednesday, 13 December three men, including Casey, broke into a house in Hook End.
As they were leaving, the homeowner, a 32-year-old woman, arrived with her young son.
She was forced into the house while her son was left in the car and she was made to open a safe.
One of the men then hit her with the blunt side of an axe.
They stole a four figure sum of cash and jewellery. The woman, who was very distressed, then got her son from the car and called for help.
Evidence linked Casey to both crimes and he was subsequently arrested and charged with robbery and aggravated burglary.
He admitted the robbery last month at Basildon Crown Court and pleaded guilty yesterday to the aggravated burglary.
Casey was sentenced to seven years and four months for robbery and six years and eight months for the aggravated burglary, to run consecutively.
Speaking after the hearing, Detective Sergeant David Wilkinson of Brentwood CID said: “These were violent and frightening incidents that left the victims very shaken. No-one should feel unsafe in their own home.
“Casey has now been taken off the streets for a significant amount of time and I hope this will give the victims some comfort.”
The other suspects involved in both incidents have not been identified and are still sought by Essex Police.
Anyone with information is asked to call Brentwood CID on 101.
Alternatively, contact the Crimestoppers charity 100% anonymously on 0800 555 111 or use the anonymous online form at Crimestoppers-uk.org
Tags: Brentwood, Robbery, Pilgrims Hatch, Hook End
