A man has been jailed for seven-and-a-half years after being found guilty of aggravated burglary and kidnap. A jury at a two-week trial at Peterborough Crown Court in October heard how Aidan Bird broke into a home in Somersham, at about 9pm on 10 February last year armed with a machete.
The 18-year-old, who was wearing a balaclava, assaulted multiple teenagers in the property, leaving one unconscious, before smashing up furniture and possessions and leaving with items including designer clothing and mobile phones.
The following day, Bird armed with a machete, and his associate 19-year-old Jaylen Harradine who was brandishing a kitchen knife, broke into another home in Somersham.
After stealing property from within the home, they kidnapped a 17-year-old boy who was then forced into a car, driven to a remote location near Warboys and subjected to a sustained attack in a ditch. Bird claimed the victim owed him money.
On 28 February, Bird struck again, assaulting another 17-year-old teenager from Huntingdon, with weapons before locking him in a garage. Again, Bird claimed the victim owned him money.
At Peterborough Crown Court on Friday (2 February), Bird, formerly of Pettis Road, St Ives, was sentenced to seven years and six months in prison after previously being found guilty of two counts of aggravated burglary and kidnap.
He had also pleaded guilty to two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm and disclosure of private images.
Jaylen Harradine, of Dolphin Close, Cambridge, was sentenced to three years and nine months after previously being found guilty of one count of aggravated burglary and kidnap.
He was found not guilty of the aggravated burglary on 10 February.
Both were also given a restraining order not to contact any of the victims involved.
Detective Constable Rebecca Neville, who investigated, said: “Bird is a dangerous individual who, along with his associates, went on a rampage using extreme violence to terrorise their victims.
“Those affected displayed real bravery in reporting their ordeal and giving evidence throughout the trial.
“I hope that these victims can now feel safe within their community.”
