Blackburn man jailed after threatening woman with crowbar
Lancashire Police say she's been left traumatised
A Blackburn man who threatened a woman with a crowbar in her own home, because she apparently owed him £20, has been jailed for nearly two years.
The victim knew 52-year-old Paul Leaver. She gave him food and let him use the shower when he was living in a garage.
She was woken up in her home in Clayton-le-Moors on 6 January by the sound of scratching outside.
When she opened the door he forced his way in, pushed her onto the sofa, hit the wall with the weapon, leaving a hole, and demanded the £20 he said she owed her.
While standing over her with the crowbar, Leaver told the woman he was going to 'kill her in half-an-hour.'
Lancashire Police say the incident left the victim traumatised in her own home.
Leaver, of Oakenhurst Road, Blackburn, pleaded guilty to affray and criminal damage.
He's been sentenced to 20 months behind bars and given a restraining order.
DC Victoria Pickup, of Blackburn Police, said:
"This was a distressing incident for the victim in her own home. It should have been a place where she felt safe.
"We are pleased that Paul Leaver has been brought to justice and given a prison sentence."