A brutal burglary in Brentwood saw a 75-year-old man dragged from his bed and beaten with a baton by a violent intruder. Amos Wilsher, 27, of New Scott Street, Mansfield, was sentenced to 17 years in prison for the attack that took place on May 12, 2018.
At around 11.50pm on that night, Wilsher, wearing a balaclava and accompanied by two others, broke into the elderly victim’s home armed with weapons. He forcibly pulled the man from his bed and struck him over the head with what is believed to be a police-style baton.
The victim’s son was also threatened and locked in a room during the terrifying ordeal. Both men were doused with cleaning fluid and warned they would be set on fire if they resisted. The older man sustained head injuries that required stitches.
Police gathered damning evidence including CCTV footage showing Wilsher knocking on a neighbour’s door at approximately 11.30am on the same day. He used his elbow to ring the doorbell, a strange action he later claimed was simply leaflet distribution. Additional footage captured him fleeing the scene after the crime.
Forensic analysis found Wilsher’s DNA on a bottle inside the victim’s home, which was key to securing his conviction.
Basildon Crown Court labelled Wilsher as “dangerous” and sentenced him to 17 years in prison, comprising a 12-year minimum term plus five years on licence. He also received a concurrent three-month sentence for failing to surrender to police, with 203 days of electronic tagging to follow his release.
Wilsher was arrested in Leicestershire after a police manhunt. However, two other suspects involved in the burglary remain at large.
Police Sergeant Frankie Cole commented on the case: “Wilsher is a dangerous individual who targeted an elderly man while he sat in his bed watching TV. Doorbell footage caught him looking for homes to target. He was unable to explain why he used his elbow to ring a doorbell or why his DNA was found inside the crime scene. He subjected a man and his son to a horrific attack before making off with passports and just £20.”
She added, “The impact on the victims has been severe. We urge anyone with information about the other suspects to contact Brentwood CID on 101.”
Originally published by UKNIP.
