Published: 09:44, 17 August 2026

 | Updated: 07:45, 18 August 2026

A man who held a 78-year-old woman at knifepoint and attacked Essex Police officers has been jailed for eight years.

Danny Mitchell, 20, was tracked down and arrested just two days after he fled the elderly victim’s home in Harlow.

At around 1.40am on December 14 last year, he threw a brick through the rear patio doors of the house before entering.

He entered the woman’s bedroom while she slept, turning on the light and waking her up. Mitchell then threatened her with the knife and demanded money.

He emptied the contents of her handbag onto the floor before making off with several bank cards.

The woman activated a panic alarm, alerting a care company operator, who immediately contacted Essex Police, and officers were dispatched.

Although Mitchell fled before they arrived, items left behind at the scene, including a knife and a mobile phone, quickly led detectives to identify him as a suspect.

His DNA was recovered from the property, and officers also obtained a detailed description from the victim.

At around 8.30pm on Tuesday, December 16, officers went to Mitchell’s address in Rundells and found him in a shed in the back garden.

He resisted arrest and assaulted two officers. One officer was bitten while another was struck across the head, causing swelling and bruising.

Mitchell carried out the offences while on prison licence. He was subsequently charged with aggravated burglary and two counts of assaulting an emergency worker, offences he later admitted.

At Chelmsford Crown Court on Thursday, August 13, Mitchell was deemed a dangerous offender and handed an extended sentence comprising eight years’ imprisonment followed by four years on extended licence.

PC Melissa Gurteen, of Harlow CID, said: “Being confronted by an armed intruder in your own bedroom is something nobody should ever have to experience.

“Mitchell deliberately targeted a 78-year-old woman in what should have been the safety of her own home, leaving her terrified.

“Aggravated burglaries of this nature are rare, but when they do happen, we will use every available investigative opportunity to identify and arrest those responsible.

“The court has recognised the danger Mitchell poses to the public and has imposed a substantial custodial sentence.

“After his arrest, Mitchell also chose to assault two police officers who were carrying out their duties.

“Violence towards emergency workers is completely unacceptable and will never be tolerated.

“Our officers put themselves in harm’s way every day to protect the public, and anyone who attacks them should expect to face the full consequences of their actions.

“I hope this sentence provides reassurance to the victim and demonstrates our determination to protect vulnerable people and bring dangerous offenders before the courts.”