A thug who took part in a terrifying raid on a couple's home has been told by top judges he cannot complain about his jail term.

Anthony Callander tricked his way inside a block of flats in Cleator Moor, by wearing a high-vis jacket and pretending to be a policeman.

He and an accomplice then ran upstairs to the couple's flat and ransacked their rooms before assaulting both of them.

The 47-year-old, of Duke Street, Cleator Moor, was jailed for eight years at Carlisle Crown Court in October last year, after he admitted aggravated burglary.

He yesterday tried to have his sentence cut at the Court of Appeal, arguing it was "too long" - but his case was rejected by three of the country's most senior judges.

The court heard Callander and Antony Gunn, 31, got inside the couple's home at about midnight on June 13 last year, after pretending to be police officers.

Both men had their faces covered and were wearing plastic bags over their shoes.

Gunn, who was carrying a wheel brace, at one point hit the female victim on the head with it after she tried to snatch it from him.

Her partner was punched in the head as he tried to defend himself against the attackers.

And the couple were threatened their home would be "trashed" if they told police.

The wheel brace was also used to prod around in the couple's belongings as their flat was searched by the pair.

They eventually fled with an antique matchbox containing a ring.

Gunn, of Sea View Place, Cleator Moor, was jailed for eight-and-a-half years after admitting aggravated burglary and having an airgun in a public place.

Callander argued today that his sentence was over the top and should be cut.

But Mr Justice Turner said Callander has 52 previous convictions for 106 offences - including battery and assault.

Sitting with Lady Justice Hallett and Mr Justice Haddon-Cave, he concluded: "We have no hesitation in dismissing this application."