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Thug jailed after trying to use pickaxe to break into Chatham home

A man who was found with a machete, crowbar and pickaxe when he attempted to break into a house has been jailed.

Andrew Radford, of no fixed address, was arrested on December 5 at a house in Gorse Avenue, Chatham.

Maidstone Crown Court. Stock picture
Maidstone Crown Court. Stock picture

The court heard how the 38-year-old visited the property of a man he once knew at around 8.15pm and began to shout threats at him when he saw him.

After being stopped from entering by the man Radford used a pickaxe to damage the door before leaving.

Within minutes officers found him walking along Walderslade Road where he was stopped and searched.

Police found a machete, crowbar and pickaxe inside his bag. He was arrested and later charged with criminal damage and two counts of possessing a bladed object.

Radford appeared at Maidstone Crown Court where he was found guilty and sentenced to one year and 10 months in jail.

"This was a frightening incident for the victim who truly believed Radford had set out to inflict serious harm on him."

He had admitted a further charge of affray.

Investigating officer for the case PC Nick Pebody said: "This was a frightening incident for the victim who truly believed Radford had set out to inflict serious harm on him, and had he not managed to close the door then the outcome may have been very different.

"The judge quite rightly saw how terrified the victim was made to feel and sentenced Radford accordingly."

Kent Police have said there is no custody image of Radford.

Read more: All the latest news from Medway

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