Machete threat burglar jailed
8:46am Thursday 17th January 2013 in News
A VIOLENT burglar who hit his victim over the head with a machete during a terrifying raid at his home has been jailed.
Ian Gary Connell, aged 28, attacked his victim at a house in Tig Fold Road, Farnworth, at about midnight on Friday, April 13 last year.
The 23-year-old victim was at home with his mother, brother, girlfriend and a friend when he heard a commotion downstairs.
When he went to investigate, he was confronted by Connell brandishing a two-foot long machete, which he held up against the victim's throat.
He bravely tried to disarm Connell but was hit in the face with the butt of a pistol by an accomplice, who has not yet been identified.
As the victim, who knew his attacker, staggered back up stairs, Connell demanded cash.
The thug was undeterred when the man's mother stepped in her front of her son and begged Connell not to hurt him.
Connell threatened to kill her unless he was given cash.
He then struck the victim in the head with the machete, causing a deep two-inch cut.
After stealing a wallet, Connell went into the mother's bedroom and stole her mobile phone and purse. She pleaded with Connell not to take her gas payment card — but he stole it anyway.
As he and his accomplice fled, Connell threatened to “torch” the house if the police were called before stealing the family's blue Ford Fiesta.
The victim was later treated in hospital, where he needed seven stitches.
Connell, previously from Little Hulton but now of no fixed address, pleaded guilty to wounding and aggravated burglary at an earlier hearing.
He has now been jailed for four years and three months at Minshull Street Crown Court.
Sgt Richard Barrett said: “Connell subjected both the man and his family to a sustained and vicious attack with a machete, leaving the victim with both physical and emotional scars.
“In some senses, he is lucky his injuries were not more severe given that he was struck with a machete. Such was the ferocity of the attack, he could easily have been very seriously injured or even worse.
“I hope that seeing Connell imprisoned for such a long time will give the family some sense of justice, and some semblance of peace of mind, as they move on with their lives following the trauma they suffered.”
