A drink and drug-fuelled dad slashed a man with a large machete as he and two others attempted to force their way into their victim’s flat.

Riley Meadows swiped the fearsome-looking blade at the man’s hand through a gap in the front door as one of his accomplices, Andrew Brown, wedged it open with his foot.

The terrifying raid at The Metropole in New Street, Dover, was captured on a neighbour's Ring doorbell, with the video later used to identify both men.

The footage, played at Canterbury Crown Court and described as "uncomfortable viewing", showed them arriving with a third, unidentified male who was also brandishing a smaller knife.

All three had their hoods up, with Meadows - who was said to be doing full-time council work at the time of the raid - and the unknown accomplice wearing masks, gloves and dark clothing.

However, Brown was bare-legged in a pair of bright blue shorts and, despite claiming after his arrest that it was a case of mistaken identity, put himself firmly in the frame when he showed police a tattoo on his left ankle.

Meadows, 20, of Freemen's Way, Deal, and 32-year-old Brown, of Folkestone Road, Dover, later pleaded guilty to wounding with intent. Offences of aggravated burglary and possessing an offensive weapon were left on the court file.

At their sentencing hearing yesterday, prosecutor Sophie Murray told the court the victim, Gabriel Balog, was at his home on December 6 last year when he heard loud banging and shouting at his flat door at about 9pm.

He had not been expecting visitors but went to the door to ask who was there. However, on not being able to make out the reply, he opened it to be confronted by the three men.

The footage showed them all forcing their way in and disappearing out of view of the camera, carrying out what was described as "an untidy search", before seemingly being pushed back out into the communal hallway.

They then aggressively attempted to get back in by pushing and kicking at the door, still wielding the two knives, before eventually giving up and fleeing, having picked up a discarded package on the floor.

Of the moment Mr Balog was injured, Ms Murray said: "Riley Meadows had a large blade which looked like a machete with a serrated edge. The other (unidentified) male had a smaller blade.

"Mr Balog was behind the door attempting to force them out when Riley Meadows swiped the large machete through the gap, causing deep lacerations to the victim's hand.

"Andrew Brown was holding the door open with his foot. All of a sudden they left and Mr Balog was able to close the door."

The court was told that during the violence, shouts of "give me the food now" could be heard, indicating the intention had been to rob Mr Balog of drugs, added the prosecutor.

As well as the cuts to his hand, one measuring up to 7cm long and exposing the fatty tissue underneath, damage was caused to a wall inside the flat and the door was left with "attack" marks.

Mr Balog was taken to hospital, where his wounds were stitched and he was given a tetanus booster jab. He did not provide any victim impact statement to police.

He tries to be a hands-on father and is a caring dad. The separation from his children weighs heavily on him...

Meadows and Brown were arrested after being identified through the footage of the melee, during which Meadows' mask had come down to reveal his face.

The court heard that despite being just 19 at the time, the dad-of-one had already racked up 10 previous convictions for 22 offences, including possessing offensive weapons, battery and assault.

But while Meadows gave a 'no-comment' interview, Brown, who has three previous convictions for five offences including harassment and affray, denied all responsibility.

"He claimed it was a case of mistaken identity and he had never been to the flats, didn't know Mr Balog or Riley Meadows, and was not in the footage," explained Ms Murray.

However, it was when he was asked about having any tattoos or distinguishing marks that the dad-of-three revealed all.

"He showed them one above his left ankle, and a similar mark could be seen on the man in the footage who had been identified as Andrew Brown," the prosecutor added.

Mr Brown also later claimed that he had been subjected to threats, but although the prosecution stated there was no evidence "either way" in respect of that assertion, it was accepted he had played a lesser role in the raid.

As well as not being armed himself or trying to disguise himself, the footage also showed him appearing "somewhat reluctant" and being "pushed into place" by his accomplices.

"However, he accepts he assisted the principals, who had weapons, and his role was to put a foot in the door, keeping it open so the attack could take place," explained Ms Murray.

Meadows later claimed in a report prepared for his sentencing hearing that he did not know the victim's hand was there when he lashed out with the machete.

The court also heard that he had been diagnosed with a drug and alcohol dependency disorder, cognitive and emotional difficulties, and borderline ADHD.

Eleanor Gwilym, defending, also argued that there was no evidence the wound caused to Mr Balog had left any lasting injury, disability or scarring.

But having described Meadows as "highly vulnerable and susceptible" and a victim of modern slavery in the past, forced to carry drugs and weapons by older associates, she said the roofer had become drug-free while on remand and had prospects for the future.

"At the time of the offence he was working five days a week for Dover County (sic) Council," explained Ms Gwilym.

"He tries to be a hands-on father and is a caring dad. The separation from his child weighs heavily on him."

Ms Gwilym highlighted Meadows’ expressed remorse in a letter to the court.

"He says he knows acting in this way is not who he is; he is not a violent person, and wants to put all this behind him and move on with his life," she said.

"As he says 'I have learnt a big lesson and I'm truly sorry for my actions'."

No further details of Meadows’ council work were given during the sentencing hearing, although Dover District Council confirmed afterwards he had not been a direct employee.

Brown, who was said to have a "significant background" of mental health issues and at the time of the offence was taking 13 tablets a day, was allowed to read a letter addressed to Mr Balog from the dock.

In front of several family members sitting in the public gallery, he said: "I would like to apologise for the ordeal I put you through as well as the unnecessary pain and fear on the day of the incident.

It was uncomfortable to view, no doubt not just for you two but also for those present today…

"I sincerely hope you will be able to forgive me. I'm truly remorseful for my actions.

"I would also like to apologise to everyone here today, especially my family for the stress I have caused you all."

Of the incident itself, his lawyer, Hugh French, said neighbours had previously reported to police that the flat was being used for drug-dealing, only for "nothing to be done about it".

He therefore argued that the "true" victims were those residing in the block whose lives were blighted by the regular comings and goings to the flat, and that the offence was "quite different in nature" to the usual case where someone is attacked in their own home.

However, on passing sentence, Recorder Sarah Counsell disagreed.

Locking Meadows up for two years and nine months and Brown for two-and-a-half years, she said: "You went to the address as a group. Two of you were armed.

"You, Mr Meadows, had a significantly large knife and I have no doubt you went there to rob from someone you suspected to be dealing drugs. He was caused serious injuries, two wounds.

"Those wounds were caused by you wielding the knife, Mr Meadows. There was a high level of aggression expressed towards the victim in that CCTV.

"It was uncomfortable to view, no doubt not just for you two but also for those present today.

"It must have been a frightening experience, particularly taking into account the size of the knife you were wielding, Mr Meadows.

"It took place in his home. Regardless of whether or not he was dealing drugs, it is an aggravating feature and not akin to a workplace injury."

But the judge said the footage enabled her to distinguish between the defendants and the roles they played.

"You, Riley Meadows, had a large knife and were plainly playing a leading role. Andrew Brown, I can see a degree of reluctance and you were pushed and placed to where you could be useful to the others," she explained.

Meadows, who at the time of the armed raid was subject to a suspended sentence order (SSO) for an offence of possessing a bladed article, was also warned that his behaviour was "escalating" in seriousness.

On hearing their custodial terms, Brown thanked the judge while Meadows smiled and gave a thumbs-up sign to his family in court.

Meadows was also told he would have to serve four months' consecutive for breaching his SSO, making a total of three years and one month.