Burglar who assaulted man in attempt to escape convicted

A burglar who assaulted a man in an attempt to escape the scene of his crime has been convicted in court.

Jason Battisson, 45, of no fixed address, appeared at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on Wednesday (10 September) and admitted four counts of burglary, one count of theft from the person of another and one count of wounding / inflicting grievous bodily harm without intent.

He targeted a number of businesses in Fenton between August and October last year.

The first one happened on 10 August 2024. Battisson smashed his way through the window of a business on Hyde Park Trading Estate. He searched the inside but didn’t take anything.

Then, on 4 October, Battisson took a phone, electronic tablet and a bank card from the home of a person he knew in Fenton.

On 13 October, he broke into another building on Hyde Park Trading Estate. He took an estimated £6,300-worth of electrical devices.

He was back again on 26 October. Battisson broke into another business on the trading estate and took two power drills, valued collectively at £300.

The final theft happened the day after (27 October). Battisson was back again, but this time he was seen by someone during the act. He took a tool box and made off along City Road but was followed. A man tried to stop him but was attacked by Battisson, who hit his hand with a saw.

We arrested Battisson at the scene. Further forensic work was then carried out which allowed us to link him to the other burglaries.

The victim needed surgery to repair tendon damage to his hand as a result of the assault.

Battisson has been remanded in custody and is due to be sentenced at Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court on 13 October.

PC Alex Woodcock, the officer in the case, said: “Battisson repeatedly targeted the same industrial estate with his prolific offending and caused significant damage to a victim who tried to stop him.

“We’re determined to act robustly against those responsible for burglary, theft and robbery across Staffordshire, and this is another example of that commitment.”