Two Men Jailed Over Daring Portsmouth Burglaries
Two burglars have been slammed with a combined 15 years behind bars for terrifying aggravated break-ins in Portsmouth last year.
Violent Home Invasions Shock Portsmouth Residents
Blayne-Jaydon Shanahan, 21, from Grove Road North, and Saqif Chowdhury, 19, from Staffordshire, pleaded guilty to two counts of aggravated burglary. Portsmouth Crown Court handed down sentences on Friday 2 December.
The crimes unfolded on Down End and Fawcett Road in late November 2021. On 29 November at 4:15am, the pair broke into a Down End home, woke the occupants, and demanded cash. A 19-year-old man was slashed with a knife, suffering wounds to his shoulder, chest, and hip, while a 22-year-old woman was hit and bruised on her knee. The burglars fled with £200-£300 and several watch boxes.
The very next morning at 4:10am, they struck again at a Fawcett Road property, assaulting a 24-year-old man and a 48-year-old woman. The male victim suffered injuries to his arm, elbow, and hand. The raiders stole a mobile phone, a PlayStation 5, and keys.
Swift Police Action Leads to Arrest
- Hampshire Constabulary launched a full-scale investigation.
- Patrol officers spotted two suspicious men on bikes in Southsea on 30 November.
- After a short chase along Brittania Road North, Shanahan and Chowdhury were apprehended.
- Forensic evidence and CCTV cemented the case against them.
Shanahan was locked up for nine years, while Chowdhury got six years in a Young Offenders’ Institution.
A third man, 18, was arrested but later released with no charges.
Detective Praises Team, Promises Justice
“These burglaries were terrifying ordeals for the occupants, assaulted in their own homes where they should have been safe,” said Detective Constable Jennivy Hodge.
“I’m pleased with the sentence and grateful for the quick work of officers who brought these violent offenders into custody swiftly. We take these crimes seriously and this will reassure the community that justice will be served.”
