A brave mum has told how she forced four robbers out of her home when they burst in demanding cash.

Terrified Abby Hurn was confronted by the hooded gang - one of whom was armed with a knife - while she was inside with her seven-year-old daughter.

The 28-year-old, who lives in Sheerness High Street, stood her ground and was able to force them back out the door and lock it.

"My mother’s instinct just kicked in," she told KentOnline.

"I didn’t even have any shoes on but there was no way on earth they were getting past me.

“I hate to think what could have happened.

"I could have been stabbed if I hadn’t been strong enough to get them out.

“Even now, I am terrified when anyone knocks on the door.

"I still don’t know why they tried to rob us. I’d never seen them before.”

Maidstone Crown Court heard Miss Hurn had been having a "lazy Sunday" with her daughter Angel when the attack happened.

"My mother's instinct just kicked in... I didn't even have any shoes on but there was no way on earth they were getting past me" - Abby Hurn

Landlord Dave Heaseman and his son Glen were also in the house at the time.

Charlie Gannon, who was jailed for seven-and-a-half years, for his part in the crime, knocked on her door at around noon and asked if Glen was there.

When Miss Hurn returned to say he was asleep, Gannon threatened: “We are here to rob you. We are here to take your money.”

Sophie Quinton-Carter, prosecuting, said: “She was trapped between the door and the living room where her daughter was.”

When she told the men her daughter was nearby, Gannon, 23, showed hesitation but one of the others pulled out the knife.

Sophie Quinton-Carter, prosecuting, said: “She nonetheless continued in her attempts to push them out of the front door while shouting for help.

"They started backing towards the door and she managed to push them out.”

After the attack last October, Miss Hurn stayed in hotels for her safety and says she is still "haunted" by the incident.

One of the men pulled out a knife before Miss Hurn, 28, pushed them out of the door.

Gannon was later identified by a distinctive tattoo on his hand.

The three others, including the knifeman, are still at large.

Gannon, of Chingford, London, was jailed after admitting aggravated burglary.

Judge Martin Huseyin told him: “This very brave lady was able to push four men out when her child was present a few metres away and must have heard what was going on.”

The court heard Gannon had written her a letter to apologise.

“It seems to me this offence was somewhat out of character and a serious escalation of your offending,” added the judge.