Two Individuals Imprisoned Following Burglary and Wrench Assault

Two men have been incarcerated following a burglary incident during which a man was assaulted with a wrench. The victim, who is in his 30s, also sustained punches to the face at a residence on Beccles Road, Lowestoft in Suffolk, on December 2, 2023. Richard Aldous, 44, from Witham in Essex, received an eight-year prison sentence at Ipswich Crown Court after confessing to charges including aggravated burglary and assault. Benjamin Newcombe, 40, from Thurmaston in Leicestershire, was given a 40-month term of imprisonment. Suffolk Police reported that the victim was in an upstairs bedroom when he heard a window being shattered downstairs. He proceeded to the top of the stairs to investigate, where he was confronted by Aldous – who was known to him – and Newcombe, whom he did not recognize. The force stated that Newcombe punched the victim twice in the face, before Aldous attempted to strike him in the face with a wrench. The victim managed to block this attempt with his wrist, but was subsequently hit in the back with the tool. A watch, a necklace, a bracelet, and a mobile phone were stolen. Aldous, of Lea Lane, pleaded guilty to the charges of aggravated burglary and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place. He was sentenced to seven years and seven months for the aggravated burglary and received a six-month concurrent sentence for the possession of an offensive weapon. He had also admitted guilt to two counts of assault causing actual bodily harm related to a separate incident, for which he was given a five-month consecutive prison term and a five-month concurrent term. Newcombe, of Alexandra Street, pleaded guilty to burglary. He also admitted to allowing his premises to be used for the production of cannabis, for which he received a six-month concurrent prison sentence.