Rishton: Father hit with axe and hammer during burglary

At 9.20pm on November 10, 2019, Rebecca Brazendale knocked on the door of a property in Talbot Street, Rishton, where victim Oliver Davis was at home with his pregnant partner and five-year-old daughter, who was asleep upstairs.

Brazendale asked Mr Davis if her son was in the property, he said no but was then prevented from closing the front door.

He was then hit in the head with an axe. As he tried to grab the axe, he was struck to the forehead and left shoulder with a hammer.

Three men – including Jamie Robertson – then entered the property.

While two of the men - still to be identified - went upstairs, Robertson, who was armed with the axe, grabbed the victim and shoved him into the living room.

Robertson told the victim to sit down and not move, before demanding money from him.

Talbot Street in Rishton (Image: Google)

He escaped with £40 in cash but left his baseball cap at the scene.

Forensic investigators managed to link the cap back to Robertson via his DNA.

Brazendale, 52, and Robertson, 33, were later arrested on suspicion of aggravated burglary.

Robertson denied being responsible for the offence, while Brazendale admitted to knocking on the door but denied committing the offence of aggravated burglary.

Earlier this year both defendants appeared at Preston Crown Court. Robertson pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary, while Brazendale admitted burglary.

Last week Robertson, of Skye Crescent, Blackburn, was jailed for 11 and a half years, with an extended licence period of three years and six months after he was deemed to be dangerous.

An indefinite restraining order was also imposed.

READ MORE: Woman who was decoy for axe, hammer and machete wielding burglars avoids jail

Brazendale, of Hermitage Street, Rishton, was given a 12-month sentence, suspended for one year. She must complete 25 rehabilitation activity requirement days.

DC Jo Billington said: “The level of violence used in this appalling pre-planned attack was absolutely shocking and could have easily resulted in the victim losing his life.

"Remarkably he was only left with injuries to his head which required stitches.

“What is equally as appalling is this offence was committed while there was a small child in the house.

“We will not tolerate violence of this kind on the streets of East Lancashire, and we will use all the resources at our disposal to bring the perpetrators to justice – no matter how long it takes.”