TWO brothers who barged into a home, made knifepoint threats and hit a man with a hammer have been jailed for a combined total of eight years.

Jordan and Danny Watkins, alongside another man, arrived at the home in Broomfield Avenue, Leigh, and started aggressively “banging on the door”.

The victim opened the door before Danny, 36, barged through and grabbed him by the throat with a craft knife pointed at his face saying “I’m going to cut you, I’ll slice you”.

When the victim responded and told Danny was told there were children in the house, Danny responded “I don’t care.”

Another man attempted to intervene and was hit in the head by Jordan, 32, and punched him several times in the head leaving severe injuries.

Following the fight, the victim was taken to Southend Hospital and the defendants fled. They were arrested six days later on May 25.

A trial began on Tuesday at Basildon Crown Court but both brothers admitted their roles in the incident yesterday.

Toby Roseman, prosecuting, said: “Jordan Watkins has pleaded guilty to the assault and it is accepted the altercation started with both men punching each other and falling to the ground. The defendant accepts he quickly got the better of the man and continued punching him whilst wearing a golden ring.”

Yesterday, Danny admitted burglary and Jordan also admitted wounding with intent.

Barristers Ruth Reid and Simon Connolly represented Danny and Jordan respectively.

Miss Reid said: “Mr Watkins did not physically harm or intend to harm anyone but of course he admits he should not have acted in that way. He said there was a level of provocation hence why they went there with threatening messages sent towards his family.”

Mr Connolly added: “It is fortunate that there is no consequential harm as a result of this incident. The saddest thing for Mr Watkins is the effect this will have on his children with one child being devastated by his sudden absence. He says he has hated being in custody and has no intention of returning there.”

Danny will serve four and a half years in prison while Jordan was jailed for three years and seven months.