A MEAT cleaver wielding thug has been jailed for ten years after going on an armed crime spree.

James Preston showered a 93-year-old woman with glass, brandished a weapon at a police officer and smashed his way into homes, a court heard.

The 23-year-old career criminal, of Bardfield Road, Colchester, was jailed for a decade at Ipswich Crown Court yesterday after admitting five offences in one day.

Michael Crimp, prosecuting, told the court the first took place in East Mill Green, Bentley, on February 1.

A man returned home with his wife to find a brick had been thrown through a sliding door with cash and jewellery stolen.

The items were recovered after being found on Preston who admitted burglary. He also admitted attempted burglary in Capel Road, Bentley.

Mr Crimp said: “The woman was alone at home dying her hair. She heard a smashing sound.

“The conservatory glass had been smashed and the defendant was standing at the door trying to break out the remaining glass.

“She shouted at him to clear off.”

Preston, who already had 20 convictions for 31 offences, went on to Pound Lane, Capel St Mary.

Police were called and when a police officer found him and went to handcuff him he brandished a meat cleaver at her and made his getaway.

He admitted common assault on a police officer and possession of a meat cleaver.

It is alleged, as police arrived in force, he banged on a car window with a meat cleaver terrifying a driver. He then ran to another home and waved the meat cleaver at a homeowner trying to smash his way in and showering a 93-year-old woman with glass.

Preston was on licence at the time having served 13 months of a three year sentence for burglary.

He was jailed for ten years for aggravated burglary with concurrent sentences of three years for burglary, two years for attempted burglary, four months for common assault and two years for possession of the weapon.

He was cleared of attempted robbery following the alleged incident with the driver in Pound Lane.