Two sadistic thugs have today admitted committing a burglary in which an elderly businessman and his wife were seriously injured from boiling water being poured over them.

Daniel Wallace, 33, and Kacey Adams, 34, also attempted to cut the businessman's ears off and forced him to watch as they inflicted horrendous injuries on his wife, which left her in intensive care.

The pair pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary at the couple’s home in Halstead, near Sevenoaks, while “armed” with cable ties.

They also admitted two offences of causing grievous bodily harm with intent. They denied two offences of false imprisonment, and they were left on file.

The pair had been due to stand trial on March 20 with Drew Morris, 26, of Downhall Road, Rayleigh, Essex, who has denied the charges.

Prosecutor Tracy Ayling QC told a judge at Maidstone Crown Court three men entered the couple’s home on April 26 last year and bound them with cable ties.

“They proceeded to pour boiling water over them in order to extract from them the combinations of two safes in the property,” she said.

They poured the water twice on the wife and once on her husband. They were held captive for two hours.

“However, the Crown is satisfied that the seriousness of the offences is represented by the offences of aggravated burglary and grievous bodily harm,” said Miss Ayling.

Judge Philip Statman said: “For what it’s worth, I well understand the Crown taking that position and I wholeheartedly approve of it.”

The gang stole cash, jewellery, watches, premium bonds, foreign currency, cheque cards, documentation, a CCTV system, modem and contents of a drawer.

Sentence on Wallace, of Barn House, St Mary’s, Barking, Essex, and Adams, of Covert Road, Hainault, Ilford, Essex, will be transferred to Chelmsford Crown Court on a date to be fixed.

Wallace and Adams appeared by video link with high security Belmarsh Prison in Thamesmead, south east London.

Remanding them in custody, Judge Statman said: “There are two victims of very serious offences. No doubt they will be comforted by the assistance and support the police are giving to this case.”

"Adams and Wallace were responsible for crimes which can only be described as barbaric and cruel beyond words" - Det Insp James Derham

Judge Julian Smith said when Wallace first appeared in June that as well as the 66-year-old businessman and his wife, 64, suffering the ordeal of being badly burnt, they also attempted to cut off the husband’s ears.

“There were repeated blows and punches,” he said. “They were detained and prevented from leaving the house. What happened was no doubt part of their plan for a developing situation, being detained and restrained.”

Judge Smith said “profound bodily harm” was caused to the wife and her husband was forced to watch. She had been seriously ill in intensive care.

David Malone, who appeared earlier for Wallace and Adams, said: “It is pretty obvious to everybody they are horrific allegations.”

The case is being transferred to Chelmsford Crown Court because Adams and Wallace are to be sentenced there for conspiracy to murder involving a drive by shooting in Stanford-Le-Hope, Essex.

The victim survived a blast in the face from a shotgun fired from a stolen Mercedes as he sat in his transit van at traffic lights just yards from his home.

A contempt order was placed on the trial because of the pending Maidstone matter, but it was lifted today by Judge Charles Gratwicke after Adams and Wallace pleaded guilty at Maidstone Crown Court.

After the hearing, Detective Inspector James Derham said: "Adams and Wallace were responsible for crimes which can only be described as barbaric and cruel beyond words.

"The elderly woman had two kettles of boiling water poured onto her, inflicting horrific burns and injuries, which could quite easily have proved fatal. The psychological scars that both victims are continuing to deal with are unimaginable.

"This is an extremely rare case and one that has shocked a very experienced investigation team.

"I would like to thank the victims for their courage and assistance in helping bring these men to justice and I hope when these two men are sentenced it will least provide some comfort and closure."