TWO men who broke into a Wharton flat and threatened the occupant with a hammer have been jailed.

Harry Ellwood, 23, and Lewis Courtney, 19 – along with a third, unidentified man – were caught on CCTV breaking into a Crook Lane address around 5am on Wednesday, July 24.

Once inside, Ellwood – of no fixed address – threatened the victim with a hammer. A television was also stolen from the flat.

Ellwood was handed a three-year prison sentence after pleading guilty to robbery and possession of an offensive weapon in a public place.

Courtney, of Newell Crescent, Winsford, admitted a charge of robbery and was jailed for two years and three months.

Det Con Paul Cundy of Northwich CID said: “This was a terrifying ordeal for the victim and his girlfriend who were asleep in bed when the three men broke in to their flat and made threats with a hammer.

"I hope the fact that Ellwood and Courtney are now behind bars facing the consequences of their actions provides the victims with some closure, and enables them to move forward with their lives.

"The local community should be reassured that incidents of this type are rare in Cheshire, and that we will do everything within our powers to place suspects before the courts."