Three bungling robbers terrified a family at their home - before realising they had targeted the wrong victims, a court heard.

The trio burst into the Faversham house in the early evening demanding cash and drugs, leaving a couple and their eight-year-old son distraught.

But when Rachel Ray produced proof they had only been living there for two weeks, Raymond Wallace, Darren Edwards and convicted murderer Nigel Jarman realised their mistake and fled.

Now they have all been jailed - Wallace, 40, for five years, Jarman, 59, for four-and-a-half years and 38-year-old Edwards for four years and four months.

Wallace, of Old School Gardens, Margate, and Edwards, of Downsell Road, Stratford, East London, admitted robbery. Jarman, of The Square, Birchington, denied the charge but was convicted.

Maidstone Crown Court heard Miss Ray was at home in Lion Field on May 29 this year with her partner Karl Suter and their son. Also at the house was Jess Kirby, who was doing some decorating.

"Where's the green? Where's the money? Where's the stuff...?" - Raymond Wallace's demands

The couple had moved in on May 13 in a mutual house exchange.

As Mr Suter was leaving, he was approached by Wallace and Edwards. He told them they had the wrong house, but powerfully-built Wallace turned him around and took him back into the house.

Mr Suter threw his phone at Miss Ray and told her to call the police. But Wallace grabbed the phone. Edwards stood guard at the door as Wallace demanded: "Where's the green? Where's the money? Where's the stuff?"

He patted Mr Suter down and took £20 from him. The boy became hysterical and tried to run off, but Wallace stopped him and locked the door.

Miss Ray showed Wallace their tenancy agreement, telling him: "You have got the wrong persons or the wrong house."

After he looked at it, he nodded to Edwards and they were driven off by Jarman. Angry Miss Ray shouted after them: "How dare you?"

Mr Suter and Mr Kirby followed and noted down the car registration number. Police stopped the car soon afterwards and the three were arrested.

Jarman was jailed for life in 1978 for murder. He was released on licence in 1988. Wallace was jailed for 10 years in 2004 for aggravated burglary involving guns. Edwards had previous convictions for drugs offences.

Judge Jeremy Carey described the robbery as "every householders' nightmare" and said it was a frightening experience for the victims.

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