A boy from Faversham who terrified an elderly couple after he and another youth broke into a home at night has been locked up for three years.

Victim Peter Towlson was left injured and shocked as he confronted the pair, who were armed with knives.

A judge told the 15-year-old youth, who cannot be identified for legal reasons: “I want you to understand that no one wants to see a person of your age being given custody for a substantial period of time.

“But you are one part of this equation. The other part is these two honourable elderly people have been put through the horror of what you and your accomplice have done to them.

“Mr Towlson left his home unlocked for 40 years without incident.

“You have come along and single-handedly you have destroyed the security in his home.”

The teenager, from Faversham, denied aggravated burglary but was convicted. He admitted burglary.

Maidstone Crown Court heard that last November Mr Towlson, then 82, was watching television with friend Jane Hiles in his living room in Old Gate Road, Faversham, when they heard a noise on the landing.

The judge said he could not be sure whether the teenager and his accomplice, who has not been caught, were armed with knives when they entered the house.

After stealing from the kitchen, they went upstairs. As they were coming down, they saw Mr Towlson.

“The two of you came down the stairs in a hurry, no doubt wanting to get out because you had effectively been rumbled,” said Judge Statman.

“Your accomplice tripped and Mr Towlson was knocked over and fell heavily in the hall bleeding.

Mrs Hiles came on the scene within a matter of seconds and in her mind she thought he was dead.

“Both of you when you came down the stairs had knives in your hands.
“That makes this an offence of the utmost gravity.”