A BURGLAR who attacked his Ellesmere Port victim with a machete has received an extended prison sentence.

Daniel Dickinson, 30, damaged an artery in his victim's shoulder during the aggravated burglary at the Rivacre Road home on July 7, 2019.

Chester Crown Court heard that if the victim had not received urgent medical attention, the attack could have been fatal.

Dickinson, of HMP Berwyn, pleaded guilty to the offence of aggravated burglary before his trial was due to take place.

He was told by Judge Patrick Thompson he presented a high risk of serious harm to the public and was considered a "dangerous" offender.

The judge said an extended prison sentence was necessary and sentenced Dickinson to 11 years, of which Dickinson will serve two-thirds of that term behind bars, plus a further four years on licence.

Co-defendant Nathan George Tuppeny, 30, of Pembroke Drive, Whitby, Ellesmere Port, pleaded guilty to assisting an offender, as he had driven Dickinson and the machete away from the scene of the crime.

He was jailed for 18 months.

Prosecuting, Philip Astbury said it was 10.15pm on July 7, 2019, when the victim was in bed at his home as Dickinson came in, wearing all-black clothing and carrying a large machete.

Dickinson said to the victim: "Get to the floor," to which the victim replied: "I don't think so, mate," as he lunged at Dickinson.

Dickinson struck at the victim in the shoulder, causing bleeding, and a chase ensued out of the building.

The victim went out into the street, calling for help from neighbours, and he was struck a second time with the machete by Dickinson, this time in the side of the head, leaving him semi-conscious.

Neighbours came out to assist and emergency services arrived.

The victim required surgery and it was estimated he had lost between two and three pints of blood. He spent four weeks in hospital and, the court heard, continued to suffer discomfort three years on.

As part of police queries, officers visited Dickinson's partner's address and found the machete in the alcove and trainers which matched footprints left at the scene in Rivacre Road.

In the days following Dickinson's arrest, the Astra used by Tuppeny to drive them away from the scene was set on fire and destroyed.

Dickinson had 31 previous convictions for 56 offences, including a number of burglaries and battery offences, and an offence of wounding with intent.

He was jailed for six years and four months in 2015, and had been released on licence for only a few weeks in 2019 before committing the aggravated burglary. After being arrested, he was ordered to serve the remainder of his custodial term, which was due to end at the end of this month.

Tuppeny had two previous convictions, including an offence of affray, for which he received 10 months in prison.

Richard Butcher, defending Dickinson, said the defendant had the "good sense" to plead guilty to the offence before his trial and there was hope he could use his time in custody productively.

Dickinson had difficulties in his early life and challenges he had to overcome, the process of turning his life around had "already begun" by becoming an "enhanced prisoner" who enjoyed mentoring other prisoners. He had also stayed away from drugs.

Simon Kitchen, defending Tuppeny, said additional knives that had been found and seized by police at the defendant's home were "items of curiosity" and had there was no suggestion they had been used outside of the house.

He had a business laying flooring and, after dismissing an employee, was the victim of an attack where a brick was thrown through his window, and he received a severed temporal artery.

Within hours of that former employee being arrested, Tuppeny's car was set on fire, and it was the defence case that the car was set alight by the the ex-employee's associates, as there was phone evidence showing Tuppeny was working in Weston-super-Mare at the time.

An immediate prison sentence would have an impact on both Tuppeny's family and the people who worked for him, the court heard.

Judge Thompson said Dickinson was armed with a "fearsome weapon" and wearing a balaclava, while Tuppeny had helped dispose of the machete.

He added: "It's a matter of luck that this didn't result in a fatality. The weapon is absolutely horrific."

The judge added he had considered a life sentence for Dickinson, but said it was not necessary "at this stage".

As well as the prison sentences, the items seized by police were to be forfeited and destroyed.

Following the sentencing DCI Justin Hancock, who led the investigation, said: “Everyone has a right to feel safe in their own home, so I cannot imagine how the victim must have felt when he discovered a man, wearing a balaclava and wielding a weapon, in his address.

“He sustained significant injuries during the attack and I have no doubt that the outcome could have been far worse had he not managed to escape.

“Thankfully, as a result of the evidence gathered by the team here at Ellesmere Port, Dickinson and Tuppeny both pleaded guilty to the charges brought against them and are now being held accountable for their actions.  

“While the victim will never be able to forget what happened on that night, I hope that the sentences handed to Dickinson and Tuppeny will provide him with some closure and allow him to move forward with his life.”