Two jailed over Hitchin aggravated burglaries
Two neighbouring homes were targeted in September last year
Two men were jailed for a total of 15 years in relation to two aggravated burglaries in Hitchin.
Hertfordshire Police were called around 11.30pm on Saturday 27 September to reports of two neighbouring homes being burgled.
The men had used a crowbar to gain entry to the rear of the first home, where a couple in their 80s and 90s lived. They demanded money before they fled empty handed.
A neighbouring family home was then broken in to, with an axe being used on the front door, with the family fleeing to safety through the back door.
Officers immediately attended and arrested one man, a police dog unit also attended and the dog led officers to a nearby shed where a second man was located and arrested.
A crowbar and an axe were recovered.
Joe Loveridge, aged 27, of Totternhoe Road, Dunstable, Bedfordshire and Jonas Loveridge, aged 46, of Midland Road, Sandy, Bedfordshire were arrested and charged.
Having pleaded guilty to the offences at an earlier hearing, Joe Loveridge was sentenced to 8 years and 3 months, while Jonas Loveridge was sentenced to 6 years and 9 months at St Albans Crown Court on Wednesday 14 January.
Detective Constable Manmeet Kaur, of the North Herts Criminal Investigation Department (CID), said: “I hope this sentencing result will give the victims a chance to rebuild their lives after these traumatic incidents which took place inside their own homes and somewhere they have a right to feel safe.
“The quick actions of officers on the night saw these men apprehended swiftly and taken off the streets.”