A violent thug who was one of seven men who kicked their way into a house before ransacking it and attacking the occupants has admitted his role in the burglary.

Josh White had already stabbed another man in the chest at least fives during an orgy of violence as the group rampaged around Thornaby, Teesside Crown Court heard.

The 22-year-old and some friends confronted the two men on the evening of January 9 last year when they surrounded their car to intimidate them before smashing their way into the house on Mansfield Avenue in the early hours of the following morning.

Damian Broadbent, prosecuting, said one of the men in the house was stabbed in the leg but the injury was not caused by the defendant.

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He said: “At around 4am, a group of seven men kicked in the door, the victim didn’t see them enter the property but heard them rummaging through drawers and thought they were going to steal the television.

“He said he was going to call the police, they left but returned and caused more damage and stole £40. One of the men inside the house was stabbed in the leg.

“The other man tried to call the police, they tried to take the phone off him and when they couldn’t, they hit him with an axe handle.”

The Northern Echo: Josh WhiteJosh White (Image: Cleveland Police)

White, of Mead Crescent, Thornaby, pleaded guilty to burglary on the day his trial was due to start but denied being involved in any of the violence.

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The court heard how the father-of-one was already serving a sentence of eight years and six months after being jailed for wounding with intent and possession of a bladed article.

Stephen Grattage, mitigating, said his young client was struggling to come to terms with only having contact with his child while is in prison.

Judge Timothy Stead sentenced White to 21 months in custody for his role in the burglary, which he ordered to be served after the sentence for wounding with intent.

He said: “Up to seven people kicked the door in of the property, you must have terrified the occupants with your actions.”