Man, 22, jailed for more than eight years for aggravated burglary in Basingstoke

A man has been jailed for more than eight years after he broke into a property and stole an electric scooter while armed with a knife in Basingstoke.

Bobby Lawrence, 22, of no fixed abode, was charged with aggravated burglary and possessing a knife blade/sharp pointed article in a public place.

He was also charged with criminal damage to property valued under £5,000.

It comes after officers were called at 6.56am on Tuesday 29 August to a report of an incident at an address on Barber Road.

Lawrence had thrown a large BBQ gas bottle through a rear window before he entered the property with a knife.

He threatened those inside the address with the blade and stole an electric scooter.

Lawrence pleaded guilty to all three offences and was jailed for eight years and seven months at Winchester Crown Court on Friday 5 January.

Detective Constable Steve Jakes said: “Aggravated burglary has a huge impact on those who are targeted and this incident was understandably a terrifying ordeal for the residents and those involved.

“I’m pleased to say that our officers responded quickly and were able to arrest Lawrence at the scene before he was able to get away.

“Bobby Lawrence will now suffer the consequences of his actions, and I hope the community can feel reassured that he is now behind bars.

“I hope that this result sends a clear message that violent crime will never be tolerated by police and we will do everything we can to bring offenders to justice.”