Two masked thugs who burst into a terrified couple’s home at night – armed with a wheel brace – have been given lengthy jail sentences.

Anthony Callander, 46 and Antony Gunn, 30, made chilling threats after conning their way through their victims’ front door in Cleator Moor on June 13 by claiming they were police officers, Carlisle Crown Court heard.

They were each jailed for eight years after admitting aggravated burglary.

Prosecutor Brendan Burke said the couple’s ordeal began at about midnight when they heard a knock on their front door.

“The woman went downstairs to answer,” said Mr Burke.

“Through the glass she saw a figure wearing a high-visibility vest. She asked who it was and the reply was ‘the police’.”

But when the door was opened, Callander and Gunn barged their way up some stairs and into the couple’s flat. One wore a makeshift full-face balaclava and the other a scarf pulled over over his face.

Both victims recognised the men, who had covered their feet with plastic bags.

Gunn brandished a wheel brace.

Mr Burke said: “He waved it threateningly above his head as if he was going to hit the woman.”

The couple bravely tried to fight back but were fearful of the wheel brace, said Mr Burke. The woman told Callander she knew his name.

The barrister said: “His reply was ‘No – it’s not. Don’t be telling anyone my name; don’t say anything about this or I’ll kill you.”

The male victim was punched three times in the head, causing injuries. Callander and Gunn fled, taking an antique matchbox containing a ring.

When police arrested the pair, they denied the crime, but later admitted it when presented with damning evidence.

Callander already had 106 criminal offences on his record while Gunn’s convictions included a past robbery and blackmail crimes.

Alison Whalley, for father-of-three Callander, of Duke Street, Cleator Moor, said: “He regrets his actions and he has stated to me that he wishes he could turn the clock back.”

Gunn, father to a young daughter, was represented by Greg Hoare.

“He has spent pretty well the vast majority of what ought to have been the best years of his life in prison,” said Mr Hoare.

Gunn was keen to see his child, but the barrister added: “He knows the only way to do that is to keep out of trouble when released.”

Passing sentence, Judge Peter Hughes QC told them: “This was a serious and planned invasion of someone’s home.”

Gunn, of Sea View Place, Cleator Moor, had six months added to his term for an offence committed in January. He admitted having an imitation firearm – an air weapon – in public at Whitehaven.