Caleb Ollie Johnson, 23, was sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court to eight years in prison for aggravated burglary, possessing an offensive weapon and three counts of fraud, as well as other offences. Johnson also admitted further charges of theft, robbery and an additional fraud offence in relation to other matters.

At the same court, Sonny Michael Foster was jailed for six-and-a-half years for aggravated burglary. Both men are from Poole.

At around 12pm on Wednesday 2 February 2022, a victim received notification of an alarm activation at his home address in Godmanstone Close and drove home.

As he approached the address, he saw two men leaving, one of whom was carrying a cream-coloured bag.

The victim discovered that more than £2,000 in cash had been stolen and a review of his home CCTV showed the two offenders using a large hunting knife to force entry to the property.

The victim’s bank card was subsequently used for two fraudulent transactions totalling more than £80 and a further attempt was made to withdraw £250 cash.

The further charges Johnson faced related to the theft of an electric bike and a bicycle in Poole in January and February 2020, as well as a robbery in Poole in February 2020 where he stole a woman’s handbag and subsequently tried to use the victim’s bank card.

Detective Constable Liam Moss, of Dorset Police, said: “We recognise the impact burglaries have on victims and this offence was aggravated by the fact one of the offenders was armed with a knife as they committed the crime.

“We will do everything we can to ensure that burglaries are thoroughly investigated and ensure those who are responsible are held to account.”