A MASKED gang who terrified a family in their own home while armed with two knives, a screwdriver and a CS gas canister have been locked up.

Stephen Kenny Ashes exploded into violence in the dock and five officers were needed to restrain him.

Also jailed were Simon Debnam and amateur boxer Luke Lawrence, who were sentenced to six and five years respectively. Ashes was imprisoned for six years.

David Brooke, prosecuting at York Crown Court, said the three hid their faces behind scarves and hoods when they broke into a family home in York on May 1, at 10.30pm.

He said: "They started running amok, shouting, threatening and dragging people around the kitchen.

"One witness described it as complete mayhem."

A 16-year-old had an asthma attack during the ordeal, which only ended when the three left with jewellery and cash.

Judge Paul Hoffman, Recorder of York, said: "They were threatened in such a way that they might have expected death to ensue."

Ashes, 24, of Glenside Flats, Fourth Avenue, York, must spend four years and six months behind bars before parole can be considered. He was also jailed for 12 months for contempt of court after his violence in the dock.

Debnam, 23, of no fixed address, and Atkin, 19, of St Denys Road, York, as well as Ashes, all pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary on May 1.

Yunis Valli, mitigating for Ashes, said his client was on drugs during the raid but he had since changed for the better.

David Dixon, for Debnam, said his client had not hit anyone and he regretted his actions.

Simon Reevell, for Atkin, said his client had lost a promising boxing career.

Victim Judith Horwell said: "I feel justice was done and maybe now we can just draw a line under it and move on."