Duo jailed for 30 years after 'distressing' aggravated burglary left Newark couple slashed by a knife
A duo have been jailed for more than 30 years for a 'distressing' aggravated burglary that left a Newark couple with knife slashes and in fear for their lives.
John Price, 32, and Joseph Lee, 22, barged into the couple's home demanding drugs and money before the repeated assault began.
The male victim was threatened and slashed with a blade and kicked to the floor and lost a lot of blood, Nottingham Crown Court heard.
Gurdial Singh, prosecuting, said the male victim thought he was going to die during the attack and was scared his partner would share the same fate.
"Mr Lee described being slashed in the forehead before getting punched and kicked on the floor," the court heard.
"She [female victim] was pinned the floor and his concern was for her. She described how one of the males pushed her up against the sink and hit her with the end of the knife.
"She was so scared that she wet herself."
The victims were taken to hospital after the aggravated burglary that took place in Philip Road, Newark, on January 18 at 7.42pm.
The 49-year-old male victim sustained 5cm lacerations to both arms and slashes to the forehead, scalp and upper back and spent three days in hospital where he needed surgery.
The female victim, 45, suffered 'defence style' wounds to her hands and was hit on the head with a ceramic mug.
Price, of Turner Lane, Boughton, was sentenced to 20 years behind bars yesterday (Thursday) after being found guilty of aggravated burglary, causing grievous bodily harm with intent and causing actual bodily harm after a three-day trial in August.
Lee, of Bowbridge Lane, Balderton, pleaded guilty to the same offences, as well as possession of a bladed article, at a previous hearing. He was sentenced to ten years and two months in prison.
The court heard in successive moments of chaos during the burglary, the knife had at one point been lost by the defendants.
Mr Singh said: "Mr Lee came over to the female, took hold of her and asked where the knife was saying 'I am really going to hurt you too, I don't hurt women.'"
"Trying to stop what was going on, she said she was going to call the police. They then both left."
Sentencing, Judge John Burgess, said Lee had previous convictions of burglary, assaults, criminal damage and thefts, "but nothing as serious as this."
Price also had convictions for 13 offences including a robbery in 2008, the court heard, for which he spent nine years in a young offenders' facility.
Judge Burgess said: "He also committed actual bodily harm by pouring boiling water on another prisoner."
The two witness statements from the victims were read out by the judge, detailing their physical and emotional scarring following the attack.
"I wake every day and see my scars and think how lucky I am to be alive," the women's statement read.
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