A “dangerous and violent” 17-year-old, who attempted to burgle a house armed with a knife, was caught by police because he left his HAT on the scene.
Saeed Ali, of Connaught Road, Harlesden , was sentenced on Thursday 29 October at Isleworth Crown Court, to four years and six months imprisonment for an attempted aggravated burglary earlier this year in West Drayton .
Ali was found guilty of the offence on 23 July.
During a three-day trial, the court heard how Ali targeted an address on Blossom Way in West Drayton , with two male associates at around 6.30pm on 5 February.
One of them rang the front doorbell, asking to speak to a man called 'Jessie'. A woman opened the front door and Ali and his two associates punched their way into the house.
The three men assaulted the woman and a man who was also living at the address.
Ali grabbed a knife from the kitchen and used it to threaten the male victim, whilst another suspect rushed upstairs to look for valuables.
The male victim had a short struggle with one of the suspects before all three fled the address, leaving empty-handed.
During the incident a neighbour, who had heard screaming and shouting, dialled 999.
The man and woman received minor injuries and attended a local hospital as a precaution, but did not need any treatment.
Police officers attended the victim's house and found a red hat close to the front door, which had been worn by one of the suspects.
An investigation was immediately launched by CID at Hillingdon . With the help of forensic teams, detectives were able to match DNA found on the red hat to Ali.
On 26 February, officers attended Ali's home address where he was arrested in connection with the offence.
Enquiries into the two outstanding suspects remain ongoing.
DC Anji Dawson said: "Ali is a dangerous and violent young man who has shown no remorse for what he put the victims through.
"He, along with two others, barged into the victims' house, assaulted them and threatened them with a knife.
"They were terrified in their own home, a place where they should have felt safe. Thankfully they were not seriously injured, however the psychological effects will take a long time to heal.
"I would like to praise the victims' courage in coming to court and giving evidence against Ali, especially whilst the effects of this violent burglary were still very obviously distressing and traumatic for them.
“Today's sentence reflects the severity of the offence committed by Ali and serves as a reminder that the Met Police will not tolerate this type of violent crime and will pursue offenders robustly with every evidential and forensic resource available."
