Brutal Brentwood Burglary: Elderly Man Dragged from Bed and Beaten with Baton
A vicious burglar who raided a Brentwood home, dragged a 75-year-old man from his bed, and bludgeoned him with a baton has been slammed with a whopping 17-year jail sentence.
Horrifying Night Attack
Amos Wilsher, 27, from New Scott Street, Mansfield, struck at 11.50pm on May 12, 2018. Wearing a balaclava alongside two accomplices, he broke into the property armed with weapons. The elderly victim was pulled from his bed and beaten over the head with what is believed to be a police-style baton.
The victim’s son was also threatened and forced into a room. Both were doused with cleaning fluid and warned they would be set on fire if they resisted. The terrifying ordeal left the older man with head injuries requiring stitches.
Damning CCTV and DNA Evidence
Police uncovered CCTV footage showing Wilsher knocking on a neighbour’s door around 11.30am that day, using his elbow to ring the doorbell—an odd move he later bizarrely claimed was just leaflet distribution. Other clips captured him fleeing the scene of the crime. His DNA was found on a bottle inside the victim’s home, sealing his fate.
Judgement and Manhunt
Basildon Crown Court deemed Wilsher “dangerous” and sentenced him to 17 years behind bars—12 years minimum plus five years on licence. He also received a three-month concurrent sentence for failing to surrender to police, with 203 days of electronic tagging to follow his release.
Wilsher was captured in a manhunt and arrested in Leicestershire. Two other suspects remain at large.
Police Speak Out
“Wilsher is a dangerous individual who targeted an elderly man while he sat in his bed watching TV,” said Police Sergeant Frankie Cole. “Doorbell footage caught him looking for homes to target. He was unable to explain why he used his elbow to ring a doorbell or why his DNA was found inside the crime scene. He subjected a man and his son to a horrific attack before making off with passports and just £20.”
“The impact on the victims has been severe. We urge anyone with information about the other suspects to contact Brentwood CID on 101.”
