'Dangerous' Mansfield burglar beat pensioner in head with baton and sprayed sons with cleaning fluid

In May 2018, Amos Wilsher along with two others broke into a property in Brentwood, Essex wearing balaclavas and armed with weapons.

A 75-year-old was assaulted, dragged out of bed and along the floor and then hit on the head with what is believed to be a police-style baton.

The man’s son was indoors and were both told to go into another room before being sprayed with cleaning fluid.

They were threatened with being set on fire if they did not comply.

Essex Police discovered CCTV showing Wilsher knocking at a neighbouring home on the morning of the horrific incident, using his elbow to ring the doorbell.

Other footage showed the 27-year-old running away from the scene of the crime and his DNA was also found on a bottle in the victim’s home.

A manhunt was launched and Wilsher was put out as a wanted person before he was arrested in Leicestershire.

He was jailed at Basildon Crown Court on Monday and will serve a minimum of 12 years along with five years on licence.

In his summary, the judge deemed Wilsher, of New Scott Street in Mansfield, ‘dangerous’ and gave him three months, to run concurrent, for failing to surrender to police.

Following his release, he will have to wear an electronic tag for 203 days.

Investigating officer police sergeant Frankie Cole said: “Wilsher is a dangerous individual who targeted an elderly man while he sat in his bed watching TV.

“Doorbell footage caught him looking for homes to target, with Wilsher later claiming to have distributed leaflets in the area.

“He was unable to explain why he used his elbow to ring a door bell or why his DNA was found inside the crime scene.

“Wilsher subjected a man and his son to a horrific attack before leaving with passports and just £20.

“The elderly victim suffered injuries to his head, which had to be glued together and the ordeal has had an severe impact of both victims.”

Two other suspects involved in the case remain at large.

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