A MAN who forced his way into a Leigh property armed with two knives and a hammer has been sentenced to more than six years in prison.

Damian Mills, of no fixed abode, in Southend, has been jailed for six years and nine months for an aggravated burglary offence.

The 32-year-old was sentenced at Basildon Crown Court on Friday, June 9, after he pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary at an earlier hearing.

Mills manage to force his way into a property in Leigh shortly before midnight on Thursday, January 26.

He was armed with a kitchen knife and a Stanley knife as he demanded money from the victim and his family.

Whilst Mills searched the house, he was unaware that one of the occupants was still in bed upstairs and was able to quickly call 999 for help.

Police officers arrived just twenty minutes later, and Mills was found and then arrested in the garden of the property.

No money had been taken, although Mills was found to be in possession of one of the victim’s mobile phones.

Once being searched, Mills also had a hammer concealed in his clothing along with the two knives.

Thankfully, no one was injured.

PC Jodie Allen, the officer in charge of the investigation, said it was a terrifying ordeal for the victims.

She said: “I want to praise the family for their quick actions that night in calling police.

“Mills was arrested as a direct result of that call.

“It must have been a terrifying ordeal for them with Mills threatening them and all the while armed with two knives.

“Fortunately, no one was injured that night and Damien Mills is now in prison, jailed for his callous actions that night.”

During the sentencing, Basildon Crown Court ordered that the weapons which Mills was armed with are to be destroyed.