A BURGLAR who smashed his way into another Warrington man’s home in a bid to inflict grievous bodily harm on him left his victim traumatised with ongoing mental health issues, anxiety and depression, which cost him his job, a court heard.
Glen Gardner, aged 55, had used a hammer to break the window at his victim’s home in Warrington at 5 am to get in and then attacked him.
Liverpool Crown Court heard that Gardner had acted out of misguided loyalty to a friend whom he believed had been assaulted by his victim though he has since realised he should not have placed so much reliance of their account.
Nardeen Nemat, prosecuting, said that once in the premises Gardner, who is a convicted rapist, made threats to his victim but there was no evidence in the trial that he used the hammer to inflict any injuries.
“He said he dropped it in the kitchen and it was seized (by police) from the kitchen floor.”
He grabbed a butter knife and his victim suffered a cut to his right thumb from the utensil. In an impact statement the victim said that since the incident on May 26, 2021, his life had been negatively impacted.
“I have been left with mental health issues, anxiety and depression and I have lost my job due to having to take numerous periods of sickness.
“I am always looking over my shoulder and never feel completely safe…..I feel my confidence has gone and changed my personality from a happy-go-lucky person.”
Gardner, of Folly Lane, Bewsey and Whitecross, had been found guilty of burglary and attempting to inflict grievous bodily harm.
The court he has 28 convictions for 64 offences including rape and kidnap in 1993, assaulting ex-partners and damaging property.
Carmel Wilde, defending, said that there was animosity between the two men and he had acted out of misguided loyalty to a friend.
She pointed out that it happened nearly two years ago and he was sorry for his actions.
He had witnessed domestic abuse as a child and did not have a father figure and later turned to alcohol. He has been making good progress recently and has been working as a fork truck lift driver.
He has engaged in counselling sessions and was dealing with his alcohol problem.
Jailing him for two and half years the judge, Recorder Peter Cowan said that after breaking in Gardner head-butted and punched the victim, who also suffered a cut to his thumb when he grabbed the knife that Gardner was holding.
He said he accepted he had recently been trying to turn his life around but the case was so serious that only an immediate custodial sentence was appropriate
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Clearly yet another white supremacist.