A VIOLENT burglar who pounded a man around the head with a baseball bat during a "terrifying ordeal" has been jailed for nine years.

Grant Edward Chase, aged 29, also threatened to stab his victim – putting his hand into his pocket and showing him the handle of what appeared to be a knife.

Chase's victim, a man in his 50s who was known to the defendant, needed hospital treatment and was given 12 stitches to his head injuries.

Detectives, who described the attack as "violent" and "unprovoked", have welcomed the lengthy prison sentence.

Chase, of Commercial Road, Weymouth, was sentenced at Bournemouth Crown Court after pleading guilty to a charge of aggravated burglary.

The court heard how he was one of two men who entered a commercial premises in Gillingham, north Dorset, around 2.30pm on Tuesday, October 13, last year.

The victim, who was working at the premises and recognised Chase initially thought it was a joke.

But Chase demanded money before striking him several times to the head with the baseball bat.

After threatening to stab him, the victim was able to push Chase away and run from the premises.

Detective Constable Holly Spillman, of Weymouth CID, said: “This was a violent and unprovoked attack on a man at his place of work and must have been a terrifying ordeal for the victim.

“I hope the sentence imposed demonstrates that violence of this nature will not be tolerated and offenders will be dealt with robustly.”

Following enquiries, Chase was located two days after the attack in the Blandford area and arrested.

Chase, sentenced at crown court on Wednesday, February 24, also admitted a public order offence and breaching a suspended sentence.

He received a total jail term of nine years, with an extended licence period of a further three years.