A man who was in a masked gang that broke into a home and carried out a terrifying raid left big clues to his identity.
Nathan Frazer was one of three men who burgled a flat on Whitethroat Walk, Birchwood, Warrington.
The trio, who were all wearing balaclavas, assaulted one of the occupants with a hammer; they also threatened the couple with a machete. The gang escaped with computer games during the incident on December 3rd last year.
But detectives recovered a catalogue of evidence linking Frazer to the incident.
This including CCTV footage showing him in an alleyway, with his balaclava lifted, smoking a cigarette and waving a hammer in the moments prior to the incident.
They also recovered mobile phone messages in which he admitted committing the burglary.
At Liverpool Crown Court Fraser was sentenced to 7 years and 6 months in prison.
The 27-year-old had earlier pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary.
Following the sentencing Detective Constable Leah Greenacre, who led the investigation, said: “I am delighted with the sentence that has been handed to Frazer, which truly reflects the severity of this offence.
“He subjected the victims to an absolutely terrifying ordeal, threatening them with a machete and a hammer in their own home – the one place where everyone should be able to feel safe.
“Thankfully, as a result of the evidence we were able to gather, Frazer had no option but to admit his guilt and plead guilty to the offence.
“I hope that the conclusion of this case brings some closure to the victims and helps them move forward with their lives.”
Enquiries to identify the two other offenders remain ongoing and a 16-year-old boy is currently on conditional bail in connection with the incident.
