Wellington, July 11 NZPA - A teenage home invader who left his victims too scared to be alone has been sentenced to 3-1/2 years' jail.

Joshua Brook Parkinson, 18, had previously pleaded guilty in the New Plymouth District Court to assault with intent to injure, aggravated assault, assaulting a female and assault with intent to take flight.

Parkinson had banged on the door of a couple, aged 74 and 65, after a drinking session following an afternoon of rugby, the Taranaki Daily News reported.

He demanded money but was refused and returned several times, despite the woman threatening to call the police.

Soon after, she found him standing in a doorway after climbing through a window.

He repeatedly punched the woman in the head before attacking her husband, who was a stroke victim reliant on his wife's care.

The man was punched in his chair before having an ironing board thrown at him so forcefully that it bounced off him and left two holes in a wall, the newspaper said. Parkinson then poured a hot drink over the man.

Crown prosecutor Tim Walls said the attack was despicable.

"These victims were no match for the prisoner," he said.

"They were in no position to put up a fight. They were simply outmuscled."

Judge Paul Barber said the victim statements showed the couple lived in fear.

"No question, this was a disturbing home invasion on a vulnerable couple who received a lot of punishment," he said.

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