Stephen Chandler and Anthony Abery in ‘armed raid’ on The Nightingales estate in Newbury

TWO masked men wielding weapons smashed their way into a housing estate home and violently robbed the occupant, a court heard.

The terrifying ordeal happened on The Nightingales in Newbury and the bloodied victim handed over £1,000, Reading Crown Court was told.

Opening the case for the prosecution, barrister Charles Ward-Jackson said: “The victim is a man named Oliver Street, who lives at Howarth Court.

“On the morning of Sunday, February 25, he was in bed with his girlfriend, Lauren Goddard.

“It was still early, just before 7am, and they were still asleep when they were woken by loud knocking on the front door, followed by a crash as the door was kicked in.”

He said that two masked men burst in, one brandishing what looked like a shotgun, and the other a knife.

In the dock were Stephen Chandler, aged 50, and Anthony Abery, aged 44, who were both living at the Two Saints hostel in Newtown Road, Newbury, and who both denied aggravated burglary.

Mr Ward-Jackson said the pair demanded cash and the ‘gunman’ pointed what appeared to be a firearm at Mr Street, who grappled with him.

Mr Street’s right hand was cut by the knife in the ensuing struggle and the two raiders began an untidy search, the jury was told.

Mr Ward-Jackson said a terrified Mr Street then reached under his bed, pulled out a shoe box containing his £1,000 savings, and handed it over.

The raiders grabbed it and fled, he added.

Mr Street meanwhile had to have a head wound stitched at hospital.

Abery and Chandler were arrested at the hostel later.

During police interview, both denied being at the scene of the burglary, or knowing the victim.

Detectives found a broken-handled kitchen knife at Mr Street’s home, which did not belong to him and must, the prosecution say, belong to the attackers.

The blade had traces of blood on it, which DNA suggests originated from Mr Street, together with DNA on the handle linking it with Abery, said Mr Ward-Jackson.

Police also found what they say are the red shoes worn by Chandler during the burglary.

Mr Ward-Jackson said: “The Crown say that both men can be tracked on CCTV that night going in and out of the hostel, and then arriving at and leaving the block where the burglary took place, so the identity of both men as the burglars can be established.”

During the trial, Abery changed his plea to guilty, on the basis that he was not armed.

Chandler was convicted by jurors.

Both men have been remanded in custody while pre-sentence reports are prepared.