A balaclava-clad thug who broke into a home and threatened the occupants with a knife during a burglary has been jailed.

Rogel Dumitru, 20, was part of a group which targeted a house in Luton Road, Chatham, in September last year.

The men were armed with blades, and wearing gloves and masks during the raid which saw them wake those asleep in the house, assault one of them and demand they they tell the group where their valuables were.

Two watches and mobile phones were found by the men before they fled the scene.

Officers were made aware of the break-in and when they attended they saw two people running from the area.

A mask was recovered which, after examination, had a DNA match with Dumitru.

Investigators were able to show Dumitru and his car had travelled from Bexleyheath to Chatham accompanied by the occupants of a van, before and after the incident.

They also proved he had been in contact with his accomplices Denis Calin and Ion Vasile prior to the crime, and they had all been in the vicinity of the incident when it happened. Further enquiries proved Robert Maytum had also been present.

Dumitru, of Mayplace Road East, Bexleyheath, Calin and Maytum, both from Chatham, and Vasile, from Maidstone, were arrested later that month.

Dumitru’s accomplices were previously sentenced on Friday, June 14.

Vasile, 22, was sentenced to eight years and five months’ imprisonment and Maytum, 36, was jailed for seven years and two months. Calin, 20, was imprisoned for seven years.

Dumitru received seven and a half years' imprisonment at Woolwich Crown Court on Monday.

Investigating officer Detective Constable Dan Bister said: “Dumitru played a significant part in this appalling crime and is now joining the three other offenders in prison. This was a premeditated crime during which a family were terrorised in their own home.

“The threats with weapons will have left a lasting impact on the victims and those responsible should be ashamed of their actions. A meticulous investigation ensured the main culprits were identified, swiftly arrested and are now starting lengthy prison sentences.

“I would like to thank the victims and other witnesses who assisted our investigation and ensured these violent criminals are no longer a threat to other Medway households.”