A MAN who burgled a house with a masked gang has been jailed.

Craig Brightwell, of Beechcroft Avenue, Breightmet broke into the home of Ryan Whistlecroft on the evening of December 13, 2018.

Mr Whistlecroft headed downstairs after hearing a knock at the door, prosecuting barrister David Lees told Bolton Crown Court.

At the door was a takeaway delivery driver, but Mr Whistlecroft told the man that he had not ordered anything and he left.

Moments later, Mr Whistlecroft heard another knock on the door and when he went back down to investigate, he said he heard a “loud bang” on the window.

After opening the blinds, Mr Whistlecroft saw a masked man holding a metal bar, which he used to smash the window and climb into the house.

Mr Whistlecroft said he was “fearing for his life” and said the man started waving the metal bar towards him in a threatening manner, in order to make him leave the house.

The men managed to steal two mobile phones, van keys, a laptop and a Honda motorbike. It is believed the value of the items stolen was almost £4,500.

Damage was also caused to the living room television and window, totalling £2,150.

Brightwell, 40, was the only one of the men caught by police, after they identified him by blood they found at the house.

After the incident, Mr Whistlecroft said it had left him “petrified”, to the point where he had to sleep at his parents’ house for a few days. He also said he now has to get to sleep before midnight or else he will be awake all night worrying.

Defence barrister Mrs Kimberley Morton admitted it was “obvious” that Brightwell would be given a lengthy custodial sentence.

She said: “He doesn’t seek to minimize or justify his actions and he wishes to apologise.

“He accepts this offence and he has said that he is definitely getting too old for this type of offending.”

Mitigating, Mrs Morton added that no one was physically injured and that prior to this incident, Brightwell has not been in custody since 2010.

She also said that since being remanded last month, Brightwell has tried to use his time productively and has been given a job as a wing cleaner.

Passing sentence, Judge Timothy Stead said: “You and others attended house with your faces covered by masks.

“The house was ransacked, cupboards were opened and searched. The householder has used the word ‘trashed’.

“You have a poor record of offending including one of aggravated burglary which is relevant, even though it happened when you were 19.”

Judge Stead said that greater harm could be applied due to the crime, due to the occupant being at home and a confrontation taking place. He also said that the value of property taken was a factor. Judge Stead added that there was higher culpability due to there seemingly being significant planning involved.

Brightwell was sentenced to four years imprisonment, reduced from the highest possible sentence of six years, after being given full credit for an early guilty plea.