A man and a woman have been sentenced at Laganside Court today, Monday 10th March.
Paul Patterson, aged 44, from Belfast was sentenced to eight years and six months, serving half in custody and half on licence, following a report of an aggravated burglary in the Hillhead Road area of Ballyclare on Sunday 20th August 2023.
Thirty-six-year-old Andrea Wilson, also from Belfast, was also sentenced to eight years and six months, for her role in the aggravated burglary. Half of her sentence will be served in custody and half on licence.
Patterson and Wilson forced their way into a house, armed with hatchet and assaulted a man inside the property.
They continued to tie up the man, striking him again and further ransacked the house.
Whilst the victim did not receive life-threatening injuries, this ordeal left him traumatised.
Patterson and Wilson were both previously convicted of aggravated burglary with intent to steal, false imprisonment, attempted grievous bodily harm with intent, assault occasioning actual bodily harm and criminal damage.
A PSNI spokesperson commented:
“Today’s sentencing offers reassurance that police will work tirelessly to bring offenders before the courts so that the victims receive the justice they deserve.
“Anyone who believes they are a victim of crime, contact police on the non-emergency number 101.”