Knifeman jailed for forcing his way into OAPs' flat during botched Gosport robbery

Jordan Roger, 20, of Magennis Close admitted carrying out the crime, which left his elderly victim – who needs assistance to walk – shocked and shaken.

He was jailed for seven years and six months.

At 10.30pm on Tuesday, December 13, the 71-year-old victim was at home in his kitchen at the Anchorage in Gosport.

Portsmouth Crown Court heard that he answered a knock at the front door to discover a man who had his face covered brandishing a knife.

The pensioner held up his arms to protect himself from the man, who was shouting for money, and fell backwards.

He received a cut to his finger from the knife. The victim subsequently kicked the intruder, who then ran off and who tried to smash the glass pane in the victim’s front door. Nothing was taken.

Roger was arrested shortly afterwards and entered a guilty plea to a charge of aggravated burglary when he later appeared in court.

He was sentenced to six years in prison for the aggravated burglary and an additional 18-months for breach of an existing suspended sentence on Friday.

Police Staff Investigator David Leonard said: ‘This is a serious crime targeting vulnerable members of our community. I’m pleased that the court has recognised the impact of this aggravated burglary and reflected this in the sentence handed to Roger.

‘Whilst the injury to the victim’s hand was relatively minor, there has been a significant impact on his and his wife’s peace of mind in their home.

‘This was a distressing and troubling crime where a pensioner who needed assistance to walk was attacked in his own home late at night.

‘I’d especially like to commend the good work of a CCTV operator who helped us to locate Roger very quickly after we were called.

‘A table knife was seized and traces of the victim’s DNA were subsequently discovered. This conviction sends a clear message that this type of behaviour against the elderly or vulnerable won’t be tolerated.’

Councillor Trevor Cartwright, executive member for public protection at Fareham Borough Council, said: ‘Fareham Borough Council works with Gosport Borough Council to supply CCTV in both boroughs.

‘This result shows the value of the cameras in keeping residents safe and preventing crime. In this case CCTV played a crucial role in apprehending an offender and bringing him to justice.

‘Thankfully cases like this are rare in Fareham and Gosport and, with the on-going hard work of the CCTV partnership, we want to keep it that way.’