Burglar jailed for 12 years for attacking victim with spade during raid
A burglar has been jailed for 12 years for attacking a man with a spade during a break-in.
Paul Anthony Varley, aged 54 and another man, who has not yet been identified, broke into a house in Rands Lane, Armthorpe, Doncaster, last January.
Varley, who was found guilty of aggravated burglary after a trial, struck the homeowner over the head with a spade during the raid.
Police believe the burglars were looking for drugs but they broke into the wrong house.
PC Andrew Jones, of South Yorkshire Police, said: “Varley denied any involvement in this incident but through forensic work, we were able to identify him.
“We believe Varley and his accomplice were looking for drugs at the house, however this was a case of mistaken identity and instead they targeted the wrong house, injuring the occupant and leaving the family scared to be in their own home.
“This was a violent, unprovoked attack on an innocent family and I’m pleased that we were able to identify and arrest Varley quickly and that he is now behind bars for his actions.”