Jail for Keighley burglar who terrorised women (From Bradford Telegraph and Argus)

Man locked up after he ransacked home and threatened young women in night

9:00am Wednesday 3rd October 2012 in News By Jenny Loweth, T&A Reporter

A drunken man who broke into a house in the dead of night and threatened two terrified young women with a chisel has been jailed for three years and eight months.

Andrew Brown, of Cliffe Street, Keighley, ransacked the property, tipping over a television set, kicking in a door, wrenching out a light fitting and pulling off a radiator, Bradford Crown Court heard.

Brown, 44, pleaded guilty to burglary with intent to commit criminal damage at Sand Street, Keighley, on February 17.

Prosecutor Camille Morland said yesterday he forced his way into the house at 11.30pm while the two young women were sleeping.

He picked up a chisel, went upstairs and put it against one of his victim’s faces while shouting threats and insults at them.

It was too dark for them to see him but they recognised his voice.

He wrecked a bedroom and then trashed the house, Miss Morland told the court.

His two traumatised victims, who had recently moved to Keighley from Scotland, left the house and went back to their homeland.

The court heard that Brown had a string of convictions for offences of dishonesty, drugs and breach of the peace.

He was a relative of one of the young women and went round to the house after a heated argument with them earlier that evening.

He had been drinking large amounts of alcohol before he committed the offence.

Brown at first denied the offence when he was interviewed by the police.

His barrister, Ken Green, said he was pleasant and reasonable when not in drink.

He was ashamed, embarrassed and sorry for his behaviour that night.

He had a new partner, who was standing by him, and he knew he was going to prison.

Judge Christopher Batty said the young women were so terrified they left their home and never returned to it.