A MAN who started a burglary spree by threatening a Barnsley family with a machete and a hammer has been jailed.

Mason Birch, 19, of Burton Street in South Elmsall, pleaded guilty to an aggravated burglary, two burglaries, four attempt burglaries and two theft of motor vehicle offences.

The offences were all committed while Birch was on licence after previously being convicted of a number of residential burglaries.

This latest offending began on May 4 when he forced entry into a property in Brierley in Barnsley armed with a machete and hammer.

He threatened the occupants of the property before stealing a safe, car keys and a car parked outside the property.

He then went on to commit a further burglary at a property in Kinsley, Hemsworth, on May 6, when he stole two sets of car keys and a car from the drive.

He was then responsible for seven attempt burglaries in Ackworth on June 18, an attempt robbery and a burglary in which keys were stolen.

Detective Sergeant Jessica Arblaster, of Wakefield District Crime Team, said: “Birch is a prolific offender who has been responsible for a number of burglaries, including an aggravated burglary where he threatened people in their own home with weapons.

“He was apprehended by sustained community policing efforts and partnership working.

“Your home is somewhere you should feel safe, and we know the concern it causes not just to victims but also to the wider public when we have burglary and attempt burglary offences.

“Birch is now behind bars, and I hope that this provides some reassurance to the victims in these incidents and others living in these communities.”

Birch was jailed for 60 months at Leeds Crown Court last Thursday.