Scott Watson was jailed for two years after he and Lauren Shimells were caught breaking into a garden shed
Scott Watson, 37, has been jailed(Image: North Yorkshire Police)
A knife-wielding thug threatened to stab a homeowner after being caught breaking into a garden shed. Scott Watson, 37, of no fixed address, was accompanied by Lauren Shimells, 30, when the pair were disturbed at a property on Eden Drive, Scarborough, at approximately 1.50am on 6 December last year.
The occupant was alerted by her barking dogs, prompting her husband to head outside and challenge the two intruders. Watson emerged from the shed wielding a knife and issued verbal threats, forcing the homeowner to retreat to safety.
The pair then moved round to the front of the property, where further threats to stab the victim were made. Watson also deliberately keyed and damaged a vehicle parked on the driveway before both suspects fled on foot.
The two were swiftly identified and taken into custody. Watson pleaded guilty at York Crown Court to possession of a bladed article and criminal damage, while Shimells pleaded guilty to criminal damage on a joint enterprise basis.
Scott Watson, 37, threatened to stab a homeowner who caught him breaking into a garden shed in Scarborough(Image: North Yorkshire Police)
At the sentencing hearing on 26 May, Watson received a two-year custodial sentence, with his prior knife convictions considered an aggravating factor. Shimells, of no fixed address, was handed a 28-day sentence and was released immediately owing to time already served on remand. Both were also issued with five-year restraining orders, reports Yorkshire Live.
Detective Constable Sam Rivers, of North Yorkshire Police’s Scarborough CID, said: “Knife crime isn’t clever, it isn’t impressive, and it is often a gateway to more serious offending.
“Let this be very clear: knife crime will not be tolerated. If you choose to carry a knife and threaten people with it, you shouldn’t be surprised when the next thing you pick up is a custodial sentence.
“Watson now has four convictions for knife-related offences, with his behaviour clearly escalating. I’m pleased that he is now behind bars where he can reflect on his actions.”
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