A PROLIFIC offender who broke into a pensioner’s home and threatened her with a hammer while on a 20-hour drug binge has been jailed.

Preston Crown Court heard Wesley Andrew entered the home of a 76-year-old woman through the kitchen door and threatened her with a hammer, before grabbing her by the hair in an attempt to stop her from escaping the house.

The court was told the victim was now so terrified she barricaded herself in her home.

Prosecuting, Stephen Parker said: “The victim was alone in her house reading the paper.

“Her kitchen door was open as she was fumigating after having the decorators in.

“She heard a noise and went into the kitchen only to find the defendant stood there.

“She was shocked to see him. He lifted his hand, and was holding a hammer and said ‘you are going to do as you are told’.”

Mr Parker told the court how the victim shouted at Andrew before making her way back through the living room towards the front door.

Andrew grabbed her by the arm but she managed to shake him off and reach the front door, but he grabbed her by the hair.

She again managed to break free, get outside and shout for help, which was heard by a neighbour who came to assist.

But Andrew, 42, had fled the property, in Ighten Road, Burnley, taking the woman’s handbag, containing money, cards and her phone, with him.

Mr Parker added: “In her statement, the victim said Andrew didn’t appear very strong as she, a 76-year-old, had managed to shake him off.

“She also said he appeared to be under the influence of drink or drugs.”

Andrew was arrested the following day after police discovered him sleeping in a tent.

He was found to be in possession of a driving licence belonging to a victim of a previous robbery on the same road and some amphetamine.

In defence, Mark Stuart said his client had a long history of drug abuse and didn’t have any recollection of the incident whatsoever.

Sentencing, Judge Philip Parry said: “The victim was left petrified. She no longer feels safe in her own home and barricades herself in, which is just tragic.

“To put this behind her she may have to move house.

“You committed this offence while on a 20-hour drug binge and have no memory at all of setting foot in her home.”

Andrew admitted robbery, possessing a weapon, handling stolen goods and possessing amphetamine, in relation to the incident, which took place in Burnley around 5.30pm on July 9.

Andrew, of no fixed address, who had appeared before the courts 45 times for 139 offences, and was on licence for a similar offence, was sentenced to six years in prison.