February 12, 2020 12.41 pm This story is over 49 months old

Men jailed for attempted stabbing during Alford burglary

They had intended to enter a different house on the road
Lee Ives and Michael Bartholomew have each been jailed for 12 years. | Photo: Lincolnshire Police

Two men have each been jailed for 12 years for attempting to stab an Alford home owner during an aggravated burglary, after they broke into the “wrong house”.

Lee Ives and Michael Bartholomew entered the property in Alford before the owner found them in the kitchen on December 10, 2017. They then began an assault, punching and stamping on him, whilst also attempting to stab him with a knife.

The victim, whose family were in the house at the time, defended himself before chasing Ives and Bartholomew out of the property. Ives and Bartholomew then left in a car.

The pair had in fact intended to enter a different house on the road, but instead broke into the wrong one.

Ives and Bartholomew were found guilty on January 24 after a week-long trial at Lincoln Crown Court. They returned to court on Monday, February 10 and were sentenced to a combined 24 years for the burglary.

Ives, 45, of North Holme Road in Louth, was sentenced to 12 years for aggravated burglary. Bartholomew, 46, of Spanning Drive in Alford, was also given the same sentence.

Nicola Paradowski, Detective Constable at Lincolnshire Police, said: “This was a premeditated and vicious attack on an innocent member of the public, which is still affecting both him and his family today, some two years after the event.

“There is never an excuse for using a weapon but now, following a complex investigation, these offenders will face the consequences of their actions. I hope this brings the family some closure and that they can move forward with their lives.”