TWO burglars, one armed with a machete and a smoke canister, who broke into a pub while the landlord slept upstairs, have been sentenced to four and a half years.

Recorder David Bate, QC, told Matthew Shilling and Darren Cooper they had armed themselves with a "fearsome" looking machete and: “Anybody who stood in your way would have been in danger.”

Shilling, 21, of Canberra Gardens, Sittingbourne, and Cooper, 20, formerly of School Lane, Iwade, but now of Meadgate Avenue, Chelmsford, appeared for sentence at Canterbury Crown Court, having been convicted of aggravated burglary at Maidstone Crown Court in June.

Cooper had been a barman at the Woolpack at Iwade and Mr Recorder Bate said he used his knowledge of the pub for the "carefully planned nightime burglary" in June last year.

A neighbour saw the two, recognised Cooper and called the police. Shilling handed Cooper the machete then climbed in. Cooper didn’t go into the pub but leaned through and passed the machete back to Shilling.

Police arrived and found Shilling crouching by the bar. He claimed it was his dad’s pub and his name was Brian, but landlord Brian Montgomery didn’t know the intruder.

A smoke grenade was by the bar and also discovered were latex gloves and a woollen hat. The machete was behind a fruit machine. Cooper was found down the street and said he was waiting for a friend.

Simon Wickens, for Cooper, said on Friday, he still denied his involvement but was sorry for the shame he had brought on himself and his family.

“In a short period of time he has found himself pulled into matters that have involved him in the criminal justice system. A relationship ended and he moved to Essex to make a clean break.

“The decision to take the machete was not his decision and I would ask the court to take into account the role he played. This matter has been hanging over his head and has caused great anxiety and a custodial sentence will severely punish him,” said Mr Wickens.

Thomas Stern, for Shilling, said there was no premeditation to cause any injury to Mr Montgomery and they had no resolved intention to use the machete in the course of the burglary.

“The height of the intention was to cause fear and alarm should the need arise more than to injure or maim anybody.

“He does not have a history of violence or dishonesty and drink was the primary factor in motivating this crime,” said Mr Stern.

He added that Shilling wanted to make a direct apology to Mr Montgomery.

Shilling will serve his sentence in prison. Cooper was sent to a young offenders' institution.