A brutal burglary in Brentwood saw a 75-year-old man dragged from his bed and beaten with a baton during a terrifying home invasion. Amos Wilsher, 27, from New Scott Street, Mansfield, has been sentenced to 17 years in prison for the attack that took place on May 12, 2018.
At approximately 11.50pm on that night, Wilsher, wearing a balaclava and accompanied by two others, broke into the victim’s home armed with weapons. The elderly man was pulled from his bed and struck over the head with what is believed to be a police-style baton. The victim’s son was also threatened and forced into a room. Both men were doused with cleaning fluid and warned they would be set on fire if they resisted.
The violent ordeal left the elderly man with head injuries that required stitches. Police investigations uncovered CCTV footage showing Wilsher knocking on a neighbour’s door around 11.30am that day, using his elbow to ring the doorbell. Wilsher later claimed this was part of leaflet distribution, an explanation described as bizarre by authorities. Additional footage captured him fleeing the scene of the crime.
Crucially, Wilsher’s DNA was found on a bottle inside the victim’s home, providing key evidence in the case. Basildon Crown Court labelled Wilsher as “dangerous” and sentenced him to 17 years in prison, which includes a minimum of 12 years to be served and five years on licence. He also received a concurrent three-month sentence for failing to surrender to police, followed by 203 days of electronic tagging after his release.
Wilsher was arrested in Leicestershire following a police manhunt. Two other suspects involved in the burglary remain at large.
Police Sergeant Frankie Cole commented on the case: “Wilsher is a dangerous individual who targeted an elderly man while he sat in his bed watching TV. Doorbell footage caught him looking for homes to target. He was unable to explain why he used his elbow to ring a doorbell or why his DNA was found inside the crime scene. He subjected a man and his son to a horrific attack before making off with passports and just £20.”
She added, “The impact on the victims has been severe. We urge anyone with information about the other suspects to contact Brentwood CID on 101.”
Originally published by UKNIP.
