A BURGLAR from Bewdley who pushed his way into an elderly woman’s home and grabbed her by the neck before assaulting a man who came to protect her has been jailed.
The victim, in her 80s, had just returned home to her address on Lake Street, Dudley, on August 3 last year, when the man, who claimed to be her relative, approached her and grabbed her by her clothes and neck.
Michael Williams, aged 58, from Bewdley, forced his way inside the house, pushing her out of the way and taking the victim’s purse, a gold chain, and a wedding and engagement ring. While he attempted to take the haul, the woman managed to ring a family member for help.
A scuffle then broke out as a man attempted to stop Williams from stealing from his relative.
The man was punched as Williams ran off down the road in a bid to escape.
Officers quickly responded after receiving the call for help around 6pm and found Williams close by, sat in a car still in possession of the stolen items.
Williams appeared at Wolverhampton Crown Court after pleading guilty to burglary and assault by beating. He was jailed for three years and three months.
PC Alex Griparis, of Dudley’s Neighbourhood Crime Team, said: “This was an opportunistic crime targeting an elderly woman who Williams thought was an easy target, and would allow him to get away with stealing the victim’s personal and sentimental jewellery.
“But thanks to the woman calling us straight away and calling for help, officers were at the scene quickly and were able to find Williams and arrest him.
“This was a scary ordeal for the woman and man and I hope this sentencing will give them some peace that he’s now behind bars for his crimes.”
