Burglar Jailed For Knifepoint Raid

A serial burglar, who subjected a pensioner to a terrifying knifepoint late-night break-in, has been locked-up for ten years.

Drug addict Stephen Broadfoot, 25, of Church Field, Snodland, Kent broke into the 83 year-old man's home in the middle of the night and demanded cash.

He pleaded guilty to burgling the Brockley property on October 1, last year and was convicted by a Woolwich Crown Court jury of attempting to rob the occupant.

Broadfoot woke the elderly victim and threatened him with a knife whilst demanding cash.

Luckily the pensioner's lodger, a man in his twenties, was alerted by the commotion and confronted Broadfoot, who then fled the scene.

The victim provided investigating officers with a detailed description of the suspect and detectives from Lewisham, aware of Broadfoot previous offending pattern, arrested him in Maidstone, Kent, on November 4.

In his interview with police, Broadfoot admitted burglary but denied using a knife or threatening the victim.

Detective Constable Andy Clark, who led the investigation, said: "The sentence imposed reflects the fact that Broadfoot is a prolific and violent offender who subjected his elderly victim to a terrifying ordeal.

"We will pursue anyone committing burglaries across the borough and we will do all we can to investigate them and bring them before a court.

“I would also like to pay tribute to the victim in this case, who demonstrated substantial strength of character in attending court and giving live evidence against his attacker."