A ‘dangerous’ serial burglar broke into an elderly couple’s home in the dead of the night before attacking a man and attempting to smother him.
Scott William Mills, 37, climbed through the kitchen window of an elderly couple’s home during an attempted burglary earlier this year.
He then punched an elderly man in the face before smothering him with a tea towel in an attempt to incapacitate him.
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A hearing at Bolton Crown Court on Friday (November 5) heard Mills entered the property during the early hours of February 8, 2021, before launching his attack on the vulnerable resident.
He then stole £800 off the couple, which had been set aside to pay for household bills.
Police say the money is now unlikely to be recovered.
The brutal attack on the male victim, who has suffered a stroke in recent years, was said to have greatly knocked his confidence.
Following the assault, Mills, of Grenfell Close in Worsley Mesnes, Wigan, went on to steal two vehicles from the nearby area in an attempt to flee the scene.
Almost two weeks later, Mills proceeded to attempt to burgle another property.
In the early hours of February 19, 2021, Mills climbed into a flat window before seriously assaulting a resident with a crowbar.
He was arrested and remanded in custody later that day.
While still under arrest, Mills was taken to hospital where he attempted to escape but was quickly recaptured by police.
In court, Mills was sentenced to eight years, two months and 14 days in prison, having already served nine months on remand.
He was convicted of burglary; wounding with intent to cause GBH; two attempted thefts; and escaping lawful custody.
Speaking after the sentencing, police described Mills as a ‘dangerous’ man who had ‘preyed’ on vulnerable people in their own home.
DC Ray Williams said: "Scott Mills is clearly a dangerous man.
“He has not only preyed on some vulnerable people in the community for his own gain but attacked them whilst in their own home, somewhere they should feel safe.
“Greater Manchester Police will do everything possible to bring serious offenders like this to justice and Scott Mills being in prison will make our community a much safer place to live.”
