A GANG of armed robbers who smashed their way into two flats and attacked a man with a metal pole have been sentenced to a total of more than 28 years in custody.

Bradley Martin, Tyler Hughes, Byron Singh and Brandon Kelleway targeted the flats in the early hours of June 29.

Bolton Crown Court heard how the four men first visited the home of David Whittle in Lily Rose Close, Bolton, just after midnight.

Mr Whittle was asleep and was awoken by the sound of his front door being kicked in.

“They kicked the door with such force it was knocked off its hinges,” said Peter Warne, prosecuting.

Three of the men, including 18-year-old Singh carrying a metal pole, burst into the flat, with Singh ordering the startled Mr Whittle to get back on his bed and not look at his face.

The court heard how the gang demanded money, but Mr Whittle said he did not have any.

“He told them to take his television, which was the only item of value in the flat,” said Mr Warne.

But then Singh hit Mr Whittle, telling him: “Start running, we’re going to batter the life out of you.”

Mr Whittle was beaten by Singh’s accomplices but manage to escape through an insecure neighbouring flat and climbing out a window into a garden, alerting a neighbour, who called police.

Mr Whittle’s television and mobile phone, worth a total of £275, was stolen and the victim was treated for multiple bruises and abrasions.

“He was fortunate not to sustain more serious injuries,” said the Honorary Recorder of Bolton, Judge Timothy Clayson.

At 1am the same morning the gang visited a flat in Chorley Old Road, Bolton and again kicked in the front door.

Resident Thomas Watkins was not at home, but returned to find four men in the foyer with their faces covered.

He fled and contacted police, who arrived quickly on the scene and arrested the four defendants still inside the flat.

The found weapons including a crowbar, piece of a pool cue and a Rambo-style knife.

The arrested men claimed they had been at the address to buy drugs.

Judge Clayson heard that Mr Watkins was subsequently sentenced for possessing cocaine, MDNA and cannabis.

Mr Whittle’s phone was found on Kelleway and the defendants’ footwear matched marks left at the robbery scenes.

Singh, of Park Road, Heaton, Martin, aged 19, of Oriel Street, Deane, Hughes, aged 20, of St Helens Road, Bolton and Kelleway, aged 21, of Henry Lee Street, Daubhill, all pleaded guilty to robbery and attempted robbery.

In addition Bradley admitted burgling the C and D Stores off-licence, St George’s Road on June 27, stealing cigarettes and alcohol and Tyler pleaded guilty to burgling the Chinese Buffet restaurant on Bridge Street on June 16, stealing £80 cash and causing damage estimated at £700.

Judge Clayson was told that the defendants have criminal records, with Singh and Martin previously being convicted of robbery.

The court was also told that each of the four men have had troubled childhoods.

Nicholas Ross, defending Hughes, stressed that the robberies in June had not been sophisticated.

The defendants watched the sentencing hearing via a video link from Forest Bank prison and each received a custodial term in a young offenders’ institution.

Martin was sentenced to six years and 10 months, Hughes to seven years and six months, Singh to seven years and nine months and Kelleway to six years and four months.

“You are each equally culpable for what happened,” Judge Clayson told them.