A 24-year-old Portsmouth man has been sentenced to four and a half years in prison following a violent break-in at a Southampton residence where he terrorized occupants and caused extensive property damage.
Samuel Bradley, of Widley Court Drive, Portsmouth, carried out the aggravated burglary at a property on Wilton Avenue on the evening of Friday, September 20. Armed with a knife, Bradley launched a violent assault on the property, using a brick, rock, and wine bottle to smash multiple windows. During the attack, one of the residents, a woman in her 30s, sustained minor injuries to her back when struck by a rock.
After forcing entry, Bradley conducted a destructive search of the house, causing significant damage to internal doors with a knife. He was subsequently arrested and charged with aggravated burglary, criminal damage, and possession of a knife blade/sharp pointed article in a public place.
At Southampton Crown Court on Monday, December 16, Bradley received his prison sentence along with additional penalties. Beyond his jail term, he will be subject to three years of post-sentence supervision and a ten-year restraining order protecting the victim.
Detective Inspector Jamie Johnson of Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary’s Western Area Crime Team emphasized the severity of the incident. “This was an incredibly frightening incident which left the occupants of the targeted property understandably very distressed,” he stated.
“Burglary, particularly aggravated burglary, can be extremely upsetting and traumatic for victims,” DI Johnson added. “I am pleased that Bradley has now been brought to justice and will serve time in prison for what he has done.”
The sentence has been welcomed by local law enforcement as a clear message to would-be offenders. “We have a right to feel safe in our homes, and we will continue working tirelessly to protect that,” DI Johnson concluded.
The case highlights the ongoing efforts of Hampshire & Isle of Wight Constabulary to combat residential crime in the region, with authorities maintaining their commitment to pursuing and prosecuting those who commit such offenses.
