Two men have been jailed for a total of 15 years after a stab attempt was made during a St Albans burglary.
St Albans men Samuel Adams and Nathan Longmore were sentenced today (Friday, April 19) following a week-long trial at St Albans Crown Court.
At around 11.30am on August 19, 2023, Longmore entered a linked address of an associate near St Albans City centre.
Adams then joined Longmore and attempted to stab a man with a nine-inch knife before an altercation broke out.
PC Zach Flint was on a single-crew patrol at the time when he heard screaming and shouting coming from the direction of a block of flats.
He then noticed a woman who had escaped from the flat onto a balcony and was calling for help.
Adams and Longmore both searched the property and took a packet of cigarettes and a bag before being stopped and detained single-handedly by PC Flint.
Longmore, 24, was found guilty of aggravated burglary and cleared of possessing a bladed article, while Adams, 33, was found guilty of both offences.
Longmore was handed a six-year sentence while Adams was jailed for nine years, with a further two years on licence.
He was also added to the dangerous offenders list, meaning he will serve no less than the nine years he has been sentenced to.
Detective Constable Krisztina Gulyas said: "I am pleased that the defendants have been convicted of these offences, which have had a profound effect on the two victims, and have now been sentenced for their crimes.
“I hope today’s court result will give the victims a chance to rebuild their lives after this violent incident which took place inside their own home and somewhere they should feel safe.
“The quick actions of PC Flint at the scene meant both Adams and Longmore could be apprehended swiftly and taken off the streets.”
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Crimes can be reported to Hertfordshire police online at www.herts.police.uk/ro/report or by calling the police's non-emergency number 101.
Hertfordshire police's web chat function can be used by visiting herts.police.uk/contact.
Anonymous information can be given by contacting Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111 or via crimestoppers-uk.org.
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