A MAN has been jailed for attempting to kidnap a two-year-old boy in Amesbury, leaving a young family “traumatised”.

Reece Jolliffe, 28, pleaded guilty to attempted kidnap and was sentenced to two years' imprisonment at Salisbury Crown Court on October 18.

The victim’s mother told the court how Jolliffe’s actions had “completely ruined” her family and left her child “absolutely terrified of everything”.

Jolliffe, who had been drinking heavily, entered the victim’s home through an unlocked door at around 4am on September 2, 2023.

The victim’s mother woke up to find Jolliffe at the end of her bed, holding her child in his arms. Upon being disturbed, he dropped the child and ran out of the house.

Police officers then attended Jolliffe’s home address and arrested him on suspicion of kidnap.

During his interview, Jolliffe claimed he could not remember what happened after he left the pub he had been drinking at.

In a statement read to court, the victim’s mother wrote: “I did not sleep for months. I spent every night at the end of my bed keeping an eye on the back door.

"I was terrified of everyone and everything. I will not trust anybody ever again."

Jolliffe was given an immediate two-year custodial sentence and a 10-year restraining order was imposed to prevent him from contacting the victim’s family and attending their home address.

He was also ordered to pay a surcharge of £187 to fund victim services.

Sergeant Matthew Goldring said: “This was a deeply disturbing incident for the victim and his family.

“We do not know Jolliffe’s full intentions when he entered the victim’s home, but his actions were significantly alarming and he has left a young family traumatised.

“I would like to personally thank the victim’s mother for her bravery in reporting this to Wiltshire Police and trusting that we would bring Jolliffe to justice.”