THREE men have been jailed for a terrifying late night domestic robbery that left a family injured and traumatised.

George D'Arcy, 23, of Maresfield Road, Dover, Jonathan Nolan, 21, from Merseyside, and Billy Harkins, 23, from London, wore balaclavas and were armed with a handgun and a bat when they broke into the Fox family home at Hawksdown Road, Walmer, near Deal last June.

Canterbury Crown Court heard on Monday that Mr Fox was woken at around 2am by a blow to his head and was dragged from his bed, attacked with a pistol, then repeatedly beaten.

His wife was woken by the noise and was herself attacked when she screamed at the raiders to get out.

The robbers demanded jewellery and a safe combination in the mistaken belief that takings from the family's two businesses - a post office and a shop - were kept at the house.

One raider threatened to shoot Mrs Fox, but she managed to escape and raise the alarm after feining a fit then running to a bedroom window, from which she fell 15 feet after a brief struggle with one of the men.

The couple’s daughter Stephanie Fox, 20, had been lying in bed terrified as she listened the assault on her parents. Two of the men came into her room and she was tied up.

Cairns Nelson, prosecuting, said there was evidence of pre-planning and targeting.

"It cannot be said because of the balaclavas, which men had the gun and which the bat but plainly it is a case of joint enterprise and there is no evidence of any of these men attempting to stop the violence," said Mr Nelson.

The robbers eventually left taking the family's Mercedes and two VWs, which were later abandoned.

The night before the robbery D'Arcy had stolen a Seat Ibiza from a woman he knew, injuring her as he drove off, which they used to drive to the Hawksdown Road address. The Seat was later burned.

All three accused admitted two robberies, aggravated burglary and assault causing actual bodily harm. D'Arcy further admitted theft of the Seat.

The Fox family was in court to hear the sentences, and their bravery on the night was praised by the Judge Anthony Webb.

The judge said it was a planned robbery, involving the use of firearms and violence in “a sickening attack on an innocent husband and wife and their 20-year-old daughter”.

He added it was a terrifying ordeal from which they were still suffering.

"A police officer said he had never seen anything so horrific in all his police service," said Judge Webb.

"The actions of Mrs Fox were commendable. She was determined to escape and Mr Fox was also very brave. She will be recommended for a certificate for her bravery and a High Sheriff's award of £500.”

Both D'Arcy and Harkins had previous convictions for violent offences, and the judge concluded they posed a serious risk to the public in the future.

Both received sentences for public protection - D'Arcy will serve a minimum of six years 47 days and Harkins must serve a minimum of six years 223 days. Both will be on licence for life

Nolan had no history of violent offending and was sentenced to 11 and a half years, less 206 days already served on remand. He will serve half and be on licence for the remainder.