Thug smashed his way into family home armed with sword and pistol after he mistook dad for burglar

A young family were left terrified when a thug smashed his way into their home armed with a Samurai sword and a starting pistol as he went in search of revenge after his house was burgled.
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Jamie Morrell was jailed after a court heard he committed the offence as he wrongly believed the dad who lived at the property had broken into his home.

Leeds Crown Court heard how the mum and dad were at home with their one-year-old son on the morning of November 6 last year when the incident took place.

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Anthony Moore, prosecuting, said the little boy was ill at the time.

Jamie Morrell was locked up for four years and five months. Copyright: West Yorkshire PoliceJamie Morrell was locked up for four years and five months. Copyright: West Yorkshire Police
Jamie Morrell was locked up for four years and five months. Copyright: West Yorkshire Police

He was with his parents in an upstairs room when Morrell forced his way into the house on Broad Lane, South Elmsall.

They heard a loud bang at the door before the dad looked down the stairs and saw Morrell standing there holding a Samurai sword.

The defendant then shouted: "Where are you? I'm going to f****** kill you. You burgled my house."

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Mr Moore said the dad climbed out of a window wearing only his boxer shorts.

Morrell then saw the mum and son and said: "Where the f*** is he? I'm going to kill him."

The victim described how Morrell was dressed all in black and his eyes were bulging with rage.

She also saw Morrell holding a pistol in his other hand as he walked away from the property.

He left the area with two men who were waiting outside.

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Police were contacted and it was later discovered that he had smashed the windscreen of a car which belonged to a neighbour.

The targeted property was searched by officers and they found a blank starting pistol cartridge.

Morrell was identified from CCTV footage and arrested.the next day.

More cartridges were found inside his home along with a Samurai sword, an axe, two batons and two bundles of bank notes.

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Morrell, of Holme Rise, South Elmsall, pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary, possession of an offensive weapon and criminal damage.

Marcus Waite, mitigating, said Morrell admitted the offences at an early stage and had never been to prison before.

Mr Waite said: "He went around because he thought (the dad) had burgled him.

"The defendant immediately removed himself from the premises upon realising his mistake and that there were vulnerable people there.

"He wishes to unequivocally apologise for his actions."

Morrell was sentenced to four years and five months.