An armed robber smashed his way into a woman’s house, threatened her, and demanded money before running off with some chocolates and a shaving gift set.
The victim was woken up by her dogs barking. When she got up, she heard a bang and a smash and saw 42-year-old Sonny Wharmsby climbing through her living room window.
Wharmsby, who was armed with a pickaxe, demanded money and carried out a search of her house, in Hickling Court, Mansfield, after he was told there was no money.
While he was rummaging around, the petrified victim managed to escape and ran away to a neighbour’s house. She wasn’t physical hurt but was left extremely shaken by what happened.
Police officers arrived at the scene quickly and pursued Wharmsby into a nearby block of flats where he was detained following the robbery which happened around 6am on 27 November 2023. He was subsequently charged.
Officers had earlier been called after reports of a shed break-in - committed by Wharmsby – at an address in nearby Garratt Avenue after a resident noticed items out of place in his garden and a pickaxe missing from his shed at around 5.15am.
Wharmsby, of Argyle Street, Mansfield, pleaded guilty to robbery and burglary and was jailed for four years and two months when he appeared at Nottingham Crown Court for sentencing on Tuesday (21 May 2024).
He was also made subject of a five-year restraining order, banning him from contacting the robbery victim.
PC Philipp James, of Nottinghamshire Police, said: “This was a terrifying ordeal for the robbery victim who saw Wharmsby climbing in through her window after being woken up that morning.
“I hope she can take some degree of comfort now he has been locked up for his frightening criminality.
"I also hope our rapid response and work in this investigation shows how committed Nottinghamshire Police is to using all the resources at its disposal to identify and catch robbers and burglars like Wharmsby and bring them before the courts to face justice."
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