A masked man found in a woman’s bedroom in the early hours, brandishing a small knife, has been jailed for almost seven years.
Stuart Brown, 27, of Eskdale Avenue, Carlisle, was sentenced at Carlisle Crown Court today.
The court heard how the victim had woken at around 2.30am to find a man inside her bedroom at her home address.
He held up a small knife and demanded the woman’s phone before taking it and leaving the property.
Despite wearing a face covering, the woman was able to identify Brown from his voice and clothing.
The incident took place in Carlisle on June 18 2019.
Brown was arrested, charged and admitted offences of aggravated burglary and possession of a bladed article in a public place.
He was sentenced to six years in prison for aggravated burglary and a further nine months in prison for possession of a bladed article in a public place.
Detective Constable Dawn Grant, of Cumbria Constabulary, said: “Waking to find a man in your house armed with a knife, with his face covered, must have been a terrifying experience.
“The police and the courts take such offending extremely seriously, particularly when there is the presence of a knife. This is reflected in the sentence handed down today at court.
“There is no excuse for anyone to be walking the streets of Cumbria in possession of a knife. Doing so puts people at significant risk of serious injury or death – including the person carrying the knife.”
