Basildon Burglar Jailed for Brutal Home Invasion
Dennis Passingham, 46, with no fixed address, has been locked up for ten years plus five more on an extended licence. He pleaded guilty at Basildon Crown Court for a terrifying attack on a woman in her 60s.
Knife Threat and Smothering in Victim’s Own Home
On the night of Saturday 6 June, Passingham knocked and forced his way into the victim’s home on 1 Hills, Basildon. He threw the terrified woman to the floor, dragged her to the living room, then knelt on her back and smothered her until she lost consciousness.
He bound her hands with a dog lead, stole £20 and her bank card, then threatened her for the PIN. When she tried to escape, Passingham dragged her back, pinned her down, tied her wrists again, threatened to stab her, and gagged her before fleeing.
£250 Stolen from Victim’s Card After Attack
Passingham used the victim’s card to withdraw £250. He was later arrested and charged with robbery and fraud, to which he pleaded guilty.
Detective Constable Natalie Backhouse of Basildon CID said: “This ordeal was truly terrifying for the victim who was violently robbed in her own home. Not only did he threaten her, but also bound and gagged her, dragging her back inside when she tried to escape.”
“It’s hard to imagine how frightened she must have been, and she will likely never feel the same about her own home. The sentence properly reflects the violence of this attack. Passingham is no longer on our streets.”
