A BASINGSTOKE man charged with aggravated burglary using a machete is standing trial.

Jamie Chandler, 33, of Basingstoke, is accused of breaking into a Basingstoke home on November 27, 2022, and robbing £100 from a person with physical and mental disabilities.

Mr Chandler pleaded guilty to the burglary, but not guilty to aggravated burglary.

At a trial that began at Winchester Crown Court on Thursday, July 6, the prosecution alleged that Mr Chandler, wielding a machete, forcefully entered the home of the victim, whose name cannot be published for legal reasons.

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Prosecutor Adrian Fleming said the victim was sitting on a reclining armchair in the flat and watching a movie on the television at around 1.30am on November 27, 2022, when Mr Chandler climbed into the flat through an open bedroom window.

He said: "He wore a balaclava, black coat, and gloves and carried a machete. The defendant accepts that the person was him. But he denies that he had a machete in his hand.

“The victim described the machete as one metre in length and made of a shiny metal. The man pointed the machete at the victim’s direction and demanded money.

“The victim had his wallet on a table near his chair. He was unsurprisingly terrified at this situation and handed over the cash to the man. The man then left the house through the front door after unlocking it from inside. The victim went and locked the door again and immediately called the police.

“A police crime officer took samples from the window and it included some DNA and footprints. It matched with Mr Chandler. On February 18, 2023, he was arrested and one of the pairs of trainers found at his address matched the footprints near the window.

“Mr Chandler was interviewed by police, but he chose to remain silent.”

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The jury later heard a video interview of the victim in which he described the burglar as a man with a ‘Basingstoke accent’ and approximately 5’5 height.

Alexandra Chessum is appearing as the defence counsel.

The trial continues.