A GUNMAN who terrorised two teenage boys after bursting into a house brandishing an arsenal of weapons has been jailed for ten years.

Ben Hatto, 23, of Hanwell, burst into the home of 16-year-old Robert Sams with a group of men on May 22 last year and pointed a gun at him and demanded money.

Andrew Rodger, prosecuting, told Isleworth Crown Court: "There were four or five other young men but the defendant was the ring leader and he pointed the gun in the face of Mr Sams saying 'Where is the money?'. Another of the young men began lashing out at him with a hammer.

"He was grabbed round the neck by another member of the group and the defendant threatened to shoot him. Another struck him with a baseball bat and another was waving a machete in his face. He was absolutely terrified and pleaded with them to let him go."

The court heard how the victim was dragged from the living room to the kitchen and at some stage sustained a fracture to a bone in his hand.

Shortly afterwards Mr Sams' friend, Damien Cooney, called at the address and he was also dragged into the house by the gang. Mr Rodger, added: "He was dragged into the house and remembers seeing hands wearing latex gloves. As he was bundled inside. He became aware of the defendant holding a gun to his head. He too was the victim of blows from various weapons. He was searched and quizzed about who he was."

Police were called to the address in Montague Road, Hanwell, by a neighbour who had heard suspicious noises. One officer entered the house to be met by Hatto pointing the gun at him.

Hatto and the gang then fled the house pointing the gun at police and threatening to shoot before throwing the gun in a nearby garden. The shotgun was later recovered and DNA found on it traced to Hatto.

Peter Hunter, defence counsel, said it was Hatto's drug addiction that was at the root of his offending and the cause of this incident. He said: "He has admitted his guilt and was still a young man who should not be crushed by too long a sentence. He is the father of twins aged six and a 17-month-old daughter."

Hatto admitted charges of aggravated burglary, carrying a loaded firearm with intent, falsely imprisoning the two youths and assaulting them, robbery of cash from Mr Cooney and using a firearm to resist arrest.