Two brothers left a workman and his pregnant partner terrified after they carried out an aggressive burglary amid a row over flooring work.
Michael and Robert Alderson went to the workman's supported accommodation in Ferryhill, County Durham to confront him over a disagreement regarding flooring on December 21, last year. Robert Alderson, 30, tried to force the man's flat door open as the victim and his eight-month pregnant partner were inside and threats were later heard regarding the man's flat being set on fire.
On Friday, Michael Alderson, 35, of Lime Road, Ferryhill, and Robert Alderson, 30, of Waterworks Street, Gainsborough, appeared at Durham Crown Court to be jointly sentenced for burglary with intent to cause grievous bodily harm. They had pleaded guilty to the offence at a previous hearing.
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Jane Foley, prosecuting, said the Alderson brothers had fallen out with the victim over an agreement over flooring work he was to carry out. A few days before the incident, the victim had returned to his supported accommodation on Kitchener Terrace where he was informed a man had been round "going mad" and had left a number, which belonged to Michael Alderson, the court heard. Ms Foley said: "The complainant called Michael Alderson back and offered a refund for the pre-paid flooring."
But days later, in the early hours of December 21, the man was woken by "loud banging" and saw Michael Alderson and his brother Robert outside his window. Robert Alderson then began kicking his door before saying: "Come on, let's sort this out". Ms Foley said: "The complainant then secured his door. Robert Alderson then went to the complainant's room and "tried to force entry" and managed to get it open twice. The court heard that as he attempted to gain entry, another neighbour intervened, but Robert Alderson "acted aggressively" and appeared to "headbutt" the neighbour on CCTV, but didn't make contact.
Ms Foley said the victim heard someone say: "Yous are getting murdered tonight and set on fire", and said he heard Michael Alderson talking about fingerprints and one saying "we are going to burn your house down". The victim's eight-month pregnant partner was also inside the flat at the time and called police. In a victim impact statement, the victim, who suffers from PTSD and anxiety, said the incident left he and his partner "traumatised" and his mental health is now worse.
A probation report heard that Michael Alderson was a former soldier who had served in the Army for five years and had set up his own company in 2018 which made a turnover of £100,000 last year. The report said he has "significant personal debt". The court was told he did not enter the property and was there with his brother as he had become "irate" over the lack of flooring and service.
Stephen Hamill, defending Michael Alderson, who remained outside during the incident, said he was "extremely drunk" at the time and couldn't recall anything until seeing the CCTV footage. He said he was "often moved to tears" and "can't bear to watch the CCTV" which made him "visibly recoil". Mr Hamill added: "He is harrowed by the actions of he and his brother and begs for (the victims') forgiveness."
Paul Rooney, defending Robert Alderson, said he works part time with his brother and acted "not in his usual way". He said: "It was out of character and he finds it difficult he could have acted in that way. He is appalled by his behaviour. He had been drinking excessively and is genuinely remorseful and ashamed. He was not aware there was a female present in the flat."
Sentencing the brothers, who had no previous convictions, Judge Jo Kidd jailed them both for 27 months.
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