Hull mum's terror as thief with nunchucks tries to force his way into her home
Mason Donkin, 18, was arrested after attempting to prize open a kitchen window with a rusty spade
By Tom Kershaw
15:01, 10 OCT 2018 UPDATED16:35, 10 OCT 2018
Mason Donkin, 18, was given a second chance by top judge Roger Thomas, QC, at Hull Crown Court on Wednesday
A Hull mum has been left "scared to leave her house" after a man with a set of "retro miniature nunchucks" in his socks tried to force his way into their home.
Mason Donkin, 18, was arrested after attempting to prise open a kitchen window to a home belonging to a family-of-three in Rustenburg Street, east Hull, with a rusty garden accessory.
The mum told Hull Crown Court she had been upstairs with her 10-year-old son at the time of the bodged burglary attempt on August 18, who shouted that someone was in their back garden.
She said during the "terrifying" incident she spotted Donkin from an upstairs window trying to break in her kitchen window, she went downstairs and banged on the glass.
Mason Donkin, 18, was given a second chance by top judge Roger Thomas, QC, at Hull Crown Court on Wednesday
The mum-of-one then phoned the police and gave an accurate description of the defendant following his arrest in a street nearby.
Hannah Walker, prosecuting, said: "The mother is now scared to leave the house with her 10 year old son after what happened.
“It had caused no end of stress and anxiety - her husband works shifts and is scared when he is not with her in the house."
Donkin was arrested and found with a set of nunchucks - a weapon in the form of two pieces of wood or metal connected together with a short chain.
Judge Roger Thomas, QC, said: "So what are these things? Nunchuck things, is that what they are called? Were they those things that were popular in the 70s, two wooden pipes connected by a chain?"
"Yes, I believe they are known as a retro weapon Sir," prosecutor Hannah Walker replied.
Mr Garth, mitigating for Donkin, said: "They were only described as miniature fitting into one sock, which he handed over to police when he was arrested."
The attempted burglary proceeded Donkin being convicted of two separate theft offences.
A stock image of a pair of nunchucks
The court was told on Wednesday morning that Donkin had become homeless after falling out with both his mum and dad who had separated. He had previously lived in Hull, but had been bailed to an address in Blackpool, Lancs., with “strict” bail conditions.
Donkin, who appeared in court sporting a grey hooded top, blue t-shirt and white beaded cross, ended up breaching his conditions in September and appeared at the hearing in custody.
He previously pleaded guilty to possessing an offensive weapon and attempted burglary at a previous court hearing.
Judge Thomas told Donkin: “So I guess you’ve seen what inside the prison system is like and what a terrible place it is.”
Donkin replied: "Yes, I know what’s important in my life and family is one of them.”
The judge told him to get on the “straight and narrow” path after rekindling his friendship with his father back in Hull.
Judge Thomas decided to punish Donkin with a community order in the form of a 28 day rehabilitation order. He must complete the order within 12 months.
Judge Thomas said: "The sentences range from three months custody to a community order, but I am not thinking about prison."
Speaking to the defendant, the judge said: "I am greatly concerned about you.
"You are two weeks away from your 19th birthday and to say you have not been in trouble before - this year it has gone badly wrong for you.
"I’ve seen men like you get caught up in the justice system at a young age and then waste years of their adult life trying to get out of it.
"I hope that you do complete the order, I am rooting for you to achieve this.
"You need to abide by the order otherwise another judge will come along and give you a jail sentence."