A man who was part of a group who robbed an elderly man in his home in Hailsham has been sentenced.
Joshua McKenzie was in a group of four people who broke into the property in Ersham Road.
A man in his eighties was threatened for money and was struck during the incident, then cash was taken from the address.
McKenzie was linked after his DNA was found at the scene.
After a trial at Lewes Crown Court, McKenzie, 41, of Orchard Grove, Penge, was found guilty of robbery.
At the same court last Wednesday (17 April), Recorder Alexander De Santos jailed McKenzie for nine years.
William Saunders, prosecuting, told the court that the robbery happened in the early hours of Saturday 7 October.
The 82-year-old victim, Barry Kennett, awoke to find four masked men in his home.
They threatened him and demanded money.
McKenzie’s DNA was recognised from blood left at the scene by the group who entered the property.
At interview, he claimed that he was assaulted in Hailsham and that was how his DNA was transferred to the address.
But McKenzie refused to answer any further police questions.
When he was arrested, police completed a search of the address where he was found.
Police found bank notes and weapons including knives – one of them a zombie knife – as well as a metal baseball bat, a paintball gun, face masks and balaclavas.
Investigator Laura Rolph said: “This was distressing incident for the victim who was threatened in his own home.
“McKenzie tried to concoct a story about being assaulted but we found evidence connecting him to the robbery when we arrested him.
“He refused to provide any answers to officers about the accomplices.
“The case shows our determination to catch dangerous offenders. We are pleased that McKenzie was found guilty and has been taken off the streets.
“Anyone with further information about the incident can report it to us online, quoting serial 37 of 07/10/2023.”
