Orpington home invader who targeted elderly is jailed

Paul Debenham, a 30-year-old serial burglar who targeted elderly people’s homes in Orpington, has been jailed for 12 years. 

On October 31 last year he forced his way into a house on Spur Road belonging to a 78-year-old man and a 76-year-old woman. 

He pointed a handgun at the man then pushed the woman to the floor before stealing their car. 

Then just two days later, on November 2, Debenham used a brick to smash a glass panel in the back door of a 96-year-old woman’s home on Blenheim Road. 

He then rushed in and started to threaten her with a hammer, demanding she hand over car keys and jewellery. 

Debenham was caught after he left a box containing a bottle of alcohol with his fingerprints on at the Spur Road incident. 

Paul Debenham (Image: Met Police)Investigating officer PC Rob Melton from the burglary investigation team at Bromley Police Station said: “Debenham was a ruthless criminal who committed crime to fund his lifestyle. 

“He showed no remorse for the long lasting impact these offences would have on his victims. 

“Debenham's arrest and the substantial evidence against him was the was the result of a combined effort by a number of local police units. 

“He will now serve a substantial sentence which will protect the public from his despicable crimes.” 

Alongside the two aggravated burglaries, Debenham was also charged with four commercial burglaries, seven residential burglaries, theft of a motor vehicle and vehicle interference. 

He was sentenced to 12 years imprisonment at Croydon Crown Court on Monday (April 29).