One of four armed raiders put to flight by a snarling rottweiler dog at a Gravesend flat is facing a long jail sentence.

The hooded gang brandished knives as they forced their way into the home at Gravesham Court in Clarence Row.

But as soon as they spotted the fearsome pet, they sped off down the stairs.

Ayolla Benedict, 19, was cornered in the street soon afterwards and arrested.

He denied aggravated burglary, claiming he was acting under duress from the other three, but a jury convicted him.

Maidstone Crown Court heard pregnant Kasha-Marie Weston was watching TV with her boyfriend Asso Salhion on the evening of March 9 last year.

Also in the flat was Miss Weston's brother Liam Golden. At about 8.30pm, they heard loud bangs at the front door.

Mr Salhi opened it and four men burst in before one of them grabbed Miss Weston and held a knife to her neck.

Two other men held Mr Salhi, while the fourth stood guard by the door.

Miss Weston called to her brother, who was in the bathroom. The men demanded money and telephones.

"The dog was getting excited and trying to get to the men," said prosecutor Edmund Fowler.

"It was at that stage out of fear they thought better of it and decided to leave the flat.

"Mr Salhi and his dog chased after them. Two of the men went in one direction and two in the other."

He caught up Benedict and was punched by him. Benedict pulled out a knife and punched Mr Salhi with it in his hand. Mr Salhi fought back before Miss Weston and Mr Golden arrived.

When told they were taking him to the police, he said: “No, sorry, please. I was pressurised into doing it. I can help you find them.”

He pulled out a knife and gave it to Miss Weston.

They took him to the police and he was arrested. The three others were not caught.

The court heard Benedict had a previous conviction for a similar offence involving a machete.

Adjourning sentence for reports, Judge Martin Joy told Benedict, of Rochester Road, Gravesend: "Your defence of duress has been rejected.

"I am satisfied you have been convicted on overwhelming evidence.

"Violence was actually used and threatened. It is quite plain there is going to be a substantial, if not indefinite, custodial sentence."

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