A woman was punched in the face by three thugs who broke into her home.

The men, all from Ramsgate, have now been jailed after admitting burglary and robbery.

The victim was on the phone to her boyfriend in the hallway of her home in Carlton Avenue, Ramsgate, on May 9 2014 when she noticed the three men in the kitchen.

As she started to inform her boyfriend, one of the men came around the corner, punched her in the face and shouted 'Where’s your gold?'

Joshua Chambers, 21 formerly of Royal Road, Thomas Farley, 20 of Picton Road and George Mason, 21 from Wellington Crescent all pleaded guilty to burglary and robbery

She managed to get out the front door and ran to a neighbour’s house for help where she saw the men run away from the house, one of them carrying an item.

She was able to describe what they were wearing and they were seen on the neighbour’s CCTV running away from the house towards a pub.

When officers attended the address they searched the nearby area and found a blue top later identified as being worn by Farley.

They also found a jewellery box hidden in some bushes which was also identified by the victim as being stolen from the house.

All three were sentenced on Friday 20 March at Canterbury Crown Court. Chamber was sentenced to three years and eight months in prison, Farley to four years and Mason to four years and three months.

Investigating officer Detective Sergeant Neil Watford said: "This was a terrifying ordeal for the victim and I commend her bravery throughout the incident and the trial.

"These three men took their chance showing a total disregard for the victim and her property, I am pleased they are behind bars."

Mason’s sentence also included a separate burglary offence which he carried out with Axl Parker, 22, previously of Marden Avenue, Margate, at an address in Elthelbert Crescent, Cliftonville, on 10 November 2014. Parker was sentenced to 18 months imprisonment.