A man and woman have been jailed for a “horrendous” burglary during which they assaulted two elderly brothers.

Rohan Daley, 40, and Nicola Barwell, 38, from Battersea, broke into the Clapham home of two men in the early hours of Sunday, May 11.

One of the men, aged 78, was woken by the sound of the door being forced open and was confronted by Daley who demanded money and punched him.

Barwell and Daley searched the house, momentarily leaving the 78-year-old, who phoned the police.

His brother, 67, who was sleeping in a downstairs bedroom, heard the commotion and went to the bottom of the stairs.

Daley threw a stepladder at him, striking him in the chest and knocking him backwards.

The pair grappled and Daley tried to grab his walking stick.

Daley also used a screwdriver to tear open the second pensioner’s mattress and threw a torch at the first victim, causing a 2in cut above his eye.

The burglars fled the property and were chased by police who had just arrived.

Rohan Daley, of Yelverton Road was sentenced to four years in prison for burglary and possession of a knife. He also received an additional 12-month sentence after admitting an unrelated burglary.

Nicola Barwell, 38, of Peabody estate, St Johns' Hill, Battersea, was sentenced to 32 months in prison after admitting one count of burglary.

Detective Constable Tony Davis of Wandsworth CID said: “This was a horrendous crime where two vulnerable and elderly men were attacked in their home.

“Daley is a dangerous individual who would do anything for his own gain, while Barwell has shown a shocking lack of compassion.

“Thankfully, despite their horrendous ordeal, one of the victims courageously called police and the fast response by officers helped bring this pair to justice.”

Both pleaded guilty and were sentenced on Wednesday, October 8, at Kingston Crown Court.