Man jailed after ransacking house while family hid

A man who broke into a house and ransacked it while a family hid with their children upstairs has been jailed for four years.

Blake Searle, of no fixed address, forced his way into the property in the Harrowby estate area of Grantham days before Christmas in 2024.

The 21-year-old smashed his way into the house before going on what police said was a "rampage" leaving blood smeared on the walls and causing extensive damage.

Lincoln Crown Court heard how the family who lived at the property had barricaded themselves in a bedroom holding a door shut with a chest of drawers.

Det Con Kirsty Farrar described the incident as "frightening" and said she was "glad" Searle was no longer on the streets.

When officers arrived at the property on 19 December they found the bannister had been ripped from the wall and Christmas decorations smashed.

The only items which Searle had stolen were crisps and cakes which left a trail to the back gate.

Forensic tests of blood spatters later confirmed Searle's identity and he was arrested in January and pleaded guilty to burglary and theft.

Det Con Farrar said: "This man went on a rampage at that home, causing chaos and fear just six days before Christmas. It's hard to imagine how frightening it would be to be subjected to that kind of intrusion.

"His actions show what a risk he posed to the public, and I am glad he's off the streets."

In addition to his custodial sentence, Searle was also handed an indefinite restraining order.

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