A MAN has been jailed after two masked men broke into the house of a heavily pregnant woman with an axe.

Paul Benson, 37, of Grassmere Avenue, Higher Ince, was sentenced to ten years in prison at Bolton Crown Court today, Friday, for conspiracy to commit aggravated burglary.

On Wednesday, May 2, 2017, a man and his partner were at their home on Leigh Road in Hindley Green when their patio window was smashed with a road grid before they were confronted by two men.

One of them was wearing a skull mask and carrying an axe.

Thousands of pounds in cash and one watch was stolen.

The woman was uninjured but was left "extremely shaken up".

Detective Sergeant Stuart Woodhead, who led the investigation, said: “This was an atrocious burglary where an innocent woman felt terrified in her own home.

“She was heavily pregnant at the time and the stress caused by this traumatic incident could have had devastating effects on her and her unborn child.

“This woman has been extremely brave from the outset and I want to thank her and her partner for her help throughout this investigation.

“I would also like to thank the witnesses in this case. If it wasn’t for their co-operation this sentence would not be possible.

“How Benson planned this attack with no compassion for the homeowners is beyond comprehension.

“He is a dangerous man and I am thankful he is now in prison.”