TWO thugs threatened to stab their victim and pour boiling water over them in a series of violent break-ins.

Julian Dumatey, 26, of London Road, Westcliff and Ashley Gibson, 31, of Burney Drive, Loughton, have both been jailed for more than eight years after targetting two flats in Palmerston Road, Westcliff.

The pair visited two homes armed with knives claiming they were owed drug money.

In the first break-in they threatened to slash the victims throat, before breaking into the neighbouring flat after claiming to be police officers.

Gibson has racked up 42 convictions including attacking police officers.

The break-in was recorded on CCTV which was played to Basildon Crown Court as they were sentenced on Wednesday.

Prosecuting Abigail White said: “Gibson grabbed one of the victims around the throat and shoved him up against a wall and threatened to cut his throat.

“He also punched the man and threatened to stab him and also threatened to pour boiling water over him. They took a house key, bank card, £40 in cash and cigarettes.

“They then went to a neighbours and shouted at the door that it was the police. They broke down the door and hit a man in the face and shoulder before stealing an iPhone, bank card, cigarettes, house key and debit card.”

Gibson was also sentenced for two attacked on police officers.

Mitigating for Gibson, Nick Bonehall said: “He accepts this was one of the lowest points of his life and his girlfriend has a number of health issues and speaks of his difficult upbringing.

“His mother has cancer and suffered domestic abuse when he was a child and may die while he’s in prison.

“As a result of the pressures on him he turned to substances to help.”

In mitigation for Dumatey, Steven Levy told the court: “He is someone who was successful in a recruitment career and was let go and fell into drink and drugs.

“He is not someone with a violent disposition and is not dealing with his mental health conditions with medication.

“He does not seek to justify what happened and was always someone who was hard working and studious.”

Gibson was sentenced to eight years and two months in prison.

Dumatey was sentenced to eight and a half years in jail.