A FATHER who was part of a burglary in which a man was hit on the head with a golf club has avoided prison.

Billy Simpson, of Leechcroft Avenue, Swanley, was given a one-year jail sentence, suspended for two years, at Maidstone Crown Court yesterday (Nov 2).

He pleaded guilty to burglary.

The court heard the 23-year-old was “out of his head on drink and drugs” when he forced his way into a house in Swaisland Road, Dartford, on June 13, along with three other men.

They found two men inside the house. One of the burglars picked up a golf club and hit one of the occupants on the head.

While the group stole a laptop computer, mobile phone, iPod and set of golf clubs, the two victims escaped through a window.

The four men then left the house with the stolen goods and drove away in a car.

During the burglary, Simpson saw a knife inside the house, which he took outside and left there “out of harm’s way”, the court heard.

Afterwards, police discovered the knife and found Simpson’s fingerprints on it, which led to his arrest.

When interviewed by police he admitted carrying out the burglary but refused to reveal the identity of his three accomplices.

Sentencing Simpson, who has a young disabled daughter, Judge David Griffith-Jones QC said he was “not the driving force” behind the burglary.

He said: “I accept that you were not involved yourself in any of the violence or threats of violence.

“I accept that you went along with the others not knowing precisely what it was that they intended beyond that they intended to enter the house.”

Simpson was also given a 12-month supervision order and a six-month curfew, and ordered to attend an alcohol treatment programme for six months.

The judge added that if Simpson had not pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity he would have faced at least 18 months in prison, not suspended.