Burglar who posed as delivery driver and stabbed terrified woman in head is jailed
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A knife-wielding burglar who forced his way into a house after posing as a delivery driver and stabbed a terrified woman in the head has been jailed for over seven years.
“Dangerous” Gary Nash, 34, of Cottage Grove, Southsea, targeted the victim’s Locks Heath home on Sapphire Close on 20 September 2024.
He forced himself into the property posing as a delivery driver and inflicted stab wounds to the head of the 26-year-old woman whilst making threats to kill her. He fled the scene in a vehicle driven by Jake Limbrick, 32, of Wakefords Way in Havant.
Nash was found guilty of aggravated burglary at Portsmouth Crown Court and was sentenced to seven-and-a-half-years in prison with an extended license period of a further four years. A 10-year restraining order was also granted.
Limbrick was found guilty of burglary, dangerous driving, drink driving and possession of a Class A drug at the same hearing. He received a 30-month community order, and will have to undertake 120 hours of unpaid work. He was disqualified from driving for three years, and is also subject to a ten-year restraining order.
The courageous intervention of a witness during the burglary means they will be issued with a High Sheriff award.
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DC Ethan Beesley, from the Fareham and Gosport investigations team, said: “The actions of both Nash and Limbrick that day were extremely violent, reckless and dangerous.
“Nash carried out a terrifying and senseless attack inside the victim’s home, and the result of their actions could have been a lot worse. This sentence sends a clear message that we will relentlessly pursue those that cause the most harm in our communities to secure justice for their victims.
“We will not tolerate violence against women and girls and it is our promise to anyone who comes forward to report these types of offences that you will be believed and have the allegations taken extremely seriously.
“We hope that anyone thinking of carrying a knife recognises that there are serious consequences both for themselves and others when they make that decision to pick up a weapon. Our officers will do everything in their power to ensure those who choose to carry knives and perpetrate this violence, are arrested, charged, and put before the courts.”