An axe-wielding burglar has been jailed for eight years for attempted grievous bodily harm.

John Steele, 25, of Woodward Road, Dagenham, was sentenced at Harrow Crown Court last week for burglary with intent to cause grievous bodily harm a home in Beatty Road, in Stanmore.

On Friday June 21 he went to the address, axe in hand, looking for a man living there and tried to gain entry but was unable to get in.

He returned to the same address the next day with two other men looking for the same man.

A woman, who also lived at the address, was alone in the flat at the time when the three men forced their way into the flat.

The 27-year-old woman managed to escape from the men and got help from her neighbour who called the police. The three men left the scene by car.

The female victim was able to help police to identify Steele and police arrested him at an address in Rickmansworth, Hertfordshire on June 25.

Originally Steele pleaded not guilty but on the first day of his trial he changed his plea to guilty after the victim agreed to give evidence during the trial.

Detective Constable Andy Clarke of Harrow serious crime unit said: "Steele is a violent individual and the length of this sentence demonstrates the seriousness of this crime.

“The victim has not only been through a terrifying ordeal, but has shown great courage in attending court despite fears of retribution."