Two brothers from Leigh threatened a man with a craft knife before attacking another with a hammer during a terrifying home invasion, a court has heard.

Jordan and Danny Watkins started banging and kicking the front door of the home, also in Leigh, and then threatened two men inside shouting “I’ll cut both of you” the court was told.

They are both standing trial at Basildon Crown Court charged with aggravated burglary, wounding with intent, possession of an offensive weapon and possession of a bladed article.

Opening the trial yesterday, prosecutor Toby Roseman said: “On May 19, the victim was at his home address with his young children and another man was in attendance.

“At roughly 6.30pm the defendants and another man arrived, with Jordan smashing a glass door in the panel as Danny tried to enter.

“The victim went towards the door and Danny barged through, grabbing the victim by the throat and forcing him down the corridor.”

The court heard Danny held a craft knife to the victim’s throat while forcing him down, but the victim held his hands together to prevent him from using it.

Jordan and the other man entered the property with Jordan allegedly shouting about not being able to see his children.

Mr Roseman added: “Danny was heard saying ‘I’ll cut both of you, I’ll slice you.’ While Jordan chased one of the victim’s with a hammer up the stairs.

“The victim kicked Jordan in the head to stop the chase and the other victim shouted ‘there are children in the house.’ “Another witness who saw the struggle came from across the road to see if the victims were OK.”

The court was told another witness who parked in the street went to the property and Jordan punched him in the head, with a tussle ensuing.

The prosecutor said the man pushed Jordan away from him but was hit in the head with a hammer several times by Jordan.

It was claimed Danny joined in to assault the man, punching him in the head several times.

The court heard the three left the property and the victim was taken to the hospital with several head and facial injuries.

Danny, 36, and Jordan, 32, both of Rayleigh Road, Leigh were arrested on May 25 answering no comment to police interviews.

The trial continues.