A man from Warrington has been jailed after forcing his way into a neighbour’s home and attacking a man with a hammer.
Michael Muse, of Orchard Brow, Warrington, was jailed for ten years at Liverpool Crown Court yesterday.
The sentencing follows the 54-year-old pleading guilty to aggravated burglary with intent to commit grievous bodily harm and possession of cannabis.
The case began on Saturday 11 October 2025, when the victim, a 32-year-old man, was visiting one of Muse’s neighbours.
At around 1.30am, the pair heard knocking and shouting at a front window. Muse could be heard shouting for the victim’s friend, questioning why she had other people at her address. After ignoring Muse, the shouting stopped.
However, around 30 minutes later, after the victim’s friend had gone to bed, further knocking and shouting was heard at a side door, followed by the sound of breaking glass.
Muse forced his way into the property using a claw hammer and launched an unprovoked attack on the victim, striking him around four times.
As a result of the sudden and violent assault, the victim fell to the ground. Muse then climbed on top of him and continued attacking him with the hammer.
Despite suffering multiple blows to the head and also sustaining injuries to his hands, the victim bravely fought Muse off and was able to disarm him.
Muse then fled the scene, and the victim’s friend, who had been woken by the disturbance, called for an ambulance.
When spoken to by officers, the victim stated that he had been attacked by a man holding a hammer who was wearing a polo shirt.
Officers subsequently attended Muse’s address, where they located a blood-stained polo shirt matching the victim’s description inside a washing machine. The claw hammer used in the attack, which was still covered in blood, was also recovered and seized. Muse was arrested.
During the interview, Muse provided no comment in response to all the questions put to him by detectives.
Police Constable Callum Harris, who led the investigation, said: “Muse and the victim had no prior interaction before this unprovoked and impulsive attack.
“Despite being caught unaware in what must have been a terrifying ordeal, the victim was able to fend off his armed attacker and successfully disarm him.
“Muse’s refusal to answer questions during the interview ultimately proved futile, as officers had already recovered the clothing he was wearing at the time of the attack and, crucially, the weapon used.
“Burglary and the forced entry into someone’s home is a deeply personal crime that can leave victims feeling shaken and unsafe in the place they should feel most secure. I hope that Muse’s time behind bars allows the victim and those affected by this incident to begin moving forward without fear.”
Alongside his custodial sentence, Muse was handed a ten-year restraining order against the victim.
