A 'COWARDLY' burglar who threatened the widow living next door with a hammer was caught after leaving a trail of snowy footprints leading back to his door, a court has heard.

Gavin Banks, 44, of Rydal Avenue, Chadderton, was sentenced to seven and a half years in prison at Manchester Minshull Street Crown Court this week.

Banks pleaded guilty to an aggravated burglary at the house next door to him in January.

Prior to sentencing, prosecutor Claire Thomas offered a detailed account of the burglary.

She said at around 3am on January 21, 2021, Banks and an accomplice, Thomas Kilburn, broke into the house of Banks' neighbour.

The woman, a widow living alone after her husband died around two years ago, woke up to the sound of glass shattering.

She tried to call police, but was so frightened she failed to put the PIN into her mobile phone.

She then tried to hide in the bathroom, but Banks and Kilburn burst into her bedroom wearing medical face masks.

Banks, who was brandishing a hammer, demanded "Where's the money?", the court heard.

Ms Thomas said the victim recognised Banks, having been a friend of his grandmother, whom she lent food and money in the past.

But she gave in to his demand and surrendered around £800, including some Iranian currency.

Once Banks and Kilburn left with the money, the victim called police – this time successfully.

Officers arrived to find footprints in the snow which led them back to Banks' house next door.

They forced entry and found the two men, two pairs of wet shoes, a hammer on the dining table and the money.

Both men denied the burglary at interview, but later pleaded guilty in court.

Speaking in mitigation for Banks, David Morton said the burglary was Kilburn's idea.

He also said although Banks has 24 previous convictions, including for burglary, there has been a 'significant gap in offending' of 10 years.

Finally, Mr Morton said Banks wishes to 'utterly apologise' and has arranged to sell his house on Rydal Avenue to avoid causing further distress to the victim.

Recorder Imran Shafi QC acknowledged these points in mitigation, but also stressed the seriousness of the 'cowardly' crime.

He said: "One can only imagine [the victim's] sheer terror."

He highlighted the almost 'comical' circumstances which made it one of the easier crimes for the officers to solve.

"Were it not so serious, it would be utterly comical," he said.

He sentenced Banks to seven and a half years, of which five years will be served in prison and two and a half years will be served on licence.

Kilburn, 23, of Rochdale Road, Royton, was also present in court.

His sentencing was adjourned until next month, pending a medical report.