Two men jailed for terrifying knifepoint aggravated burglary in Scarborough

At around 10.40pm on August 28, 2025, the victim was woken by Matthew Williams, 35, and Kyle Smith, 19, who had forced entry into his property in the Esplande area of Scarborough.

During the incident, a kitchen knife was held to the victim’s throat as he was threatened and his flat was searched.

Items stolen included a 55-inch television, a wallet containing bank cards, alcohol, tobacco, and the knife used to threaten the victim during the offence.

The offenders then fled the scene in a vehicle which had been stolen in the days prior to the burglary.

Extensive enquiries by officers led to the identification of a silver Ford Transit van, captured on CCTV travelling to and from the location at the time.

Further CCTV evidence later showed the same vehicle parking on the Edgehill estate. Two men were seen hiding kitchen knives behind a bin before walking away from the area.

Officers attended and recovered the knives, including one that matched the description given by the victim.

Shortly after midnight, officers located and arrested Matthew Williams and Kyle Smith nearby on Seamer Road. They were wearing clothing that matched descriptions of the suspects seen on CCTV leaving the vehicle.

At the time of his arrest, Williams was found to be in possession of Class A and Class B drugs.

A search of the vehicle led to the recovery of the stolen television and wallet. Forensic examination of items recovered from the van identified Kyle Smith’s fingerprints, providing key evidence in the investigation.

A detailed CCTV compilation further linked both men to the burglary, the vehicle, and the disposal of the weapons.

Forensic analysis of the knives revealed Williams’ DNA on both weapons, and Smith’s DNA on one. Williams’ DNA was also recovered from a cushion zip inside the victim’s flat.

In his police interview, Williams sought to explain the presence of his DNA on the knife, stating that he had previously helped the victim prepare a Sunday dinner and had used the knife to chop onions; however, this account was refuted by the victim.

Faced with overwhelming evidence, both defendants pleaded guilty.

In a victim impact statement read at court, the victim described how the terrifying ordeal left him believing he was going to die. Although he was not physically injured, he explained that the incident has had a lasting impact on his mental health, and that he continues to think about what happened every day.

He said: “I was asleep in my home when I was suddenly awoken by intruders, one holding a knife to my throat. I felt completely helpless, in what should have been the safety of my own home.

“I feel I have lost a sense of security, it’s difficult to move past the feeling that when I wake up during the night, it might be to intruders threatening my life. The feeling of safety in my own home is gone.”

On October 22 at York Crown Court, Williams, of no fixed address, was sentenced to six years and six months' imprisonment after pleading guilty on the first day of trial. He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge of £228.

Smith, of Blenheim Terrace, was sentenced to three years imprisonment suspended for three years after pleading guilty at an earlier hearing. He was also ordered to pay a victim surcharge £187

Investigating officer Detective Constable Sam Rivers of North Yorkshire Police’s Scarborough and Ryedale CID said: “Burglars are a scourge on our communities. Invading people’s homes is a crime only the lowest of the low commit.

“The defendant attempted to explain away the damning evidence by claiming his DNA was found on the knife because he had previously been helping the victim chop onions for a Sunday dinner in his flat. While imaginative, this explanation was seen for what it was, ridiculous.

“The reality is, this was a violent and premeditated offence, the suspects can now reflect on this crime from their prison cells."