Two burglars who repeatedly hit their victims in the head and body with a hammer after breaking into a house in Broadstairs have been jailed.
Oliver Barnes and Patrick O’Brien attacked the men after demanding money and drugs at a property on Thursday, April 18, 2019.
They then tried to break into a house in Belvedere Road and also stole jewellery and perfume from a property in Victoria Parade.
O’Brien, 33, admitted aggravated burglary and wounding with intent and Barnes, 30, was convicted of the same charges at Canterbury Crown Court.
O’Brien, previously of Broadstairs, was sentenced to 10 years and Barnes, of Pennington Close, Westbere, Canterbury, received a nine-year sentence yesterday (March 12).
Two men were in the first property when O’Brien and Barnes entered and shouted demands. The pair then attacked the men, who were both hit to the head and body with the hammer.
One of the men suffered a deep wound to his forehead as well as injuries to his leg and needed hospital treatment.
It is thought the offenders wrongly believed there were drugs at the property.
O’Brien and Barnes were later seen smashing glass at a property in Belvedere Road before getting into a car. They were also linked to the burglary in Victoria Parade after O’Brien’s bank card was found at the scene.
Officers arrested O’Brien in Broadstairs with some of the stolen items and recovered the hammer from a park in Margate.
Detective Constable Richard Cordery, Kent Police’s investigating officer, said: “This was a callous and violent attack from which the victims were lucky not to receive more serious injuries.
“O’Brien and Barnes showed no concern for the damage they did or the injuries they inflicted as they broke into homes trying to get their hands on other people’s belongings.
“Our thorough investigation left O’Brien no choice but to plead guilty and I hope these sentences bring some comfort to the victims.”
