A gang of burglars held a knife to a terrified victim's throat before making off with a designer handbag.

Now a Hackney man has been jailed for his part in the burglary in Essex.

Essex Police received a report of the burglary in London Road, Abridge, Essex shortly before 9pm on January 23.

The victims were at home when three men forced entry, one of whom held a large knife to one victim's neck and demanded money.

The suspects then stole a designer handbag before leaving.

The victims were left unharmed but shaken, said officers.

When officers attended, blood was found at the scene.

When this was forensically examined, it came back as a match for 33-year-old Jerome Jean.

Further enquiries placed Jean's phone in the Abridge area around the time of the offence.

Jean, of Dericote Street, Hackney, was arrested on February 14 at his home.

During the arrest, officers located a small amount of cannabis and Jean was further arrested on suspicion of possession of class B drugs.

He was charged with aggravated burglary and possession of a controlled drug of class B and remanded into custody.

Jean appeared at Snaresbrook Crown Court on June 14.

He was sentenced to eight years and three months in prison after pleading guilty to both offences.

During the arrest, officers located a small amount of cannabis and Jean was further arrested on suspicion of possession of class B drugs.

He was charged with aggravated burglary and possession of a controlled drug of class B and remanded into custody.

Jean appeared at Snaresbrook Crown Court on June 14.

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He was sentenced to eight years and three months in prison after pleading guilty to both offences.

Detective Constable Alexander Cove, from Loughton CID, said: "Jerome Jean put these victims through a terrifying ordeal.

"Since the incident, the victims have described how they suffer from sleepless nights and avoid being home alone.

"Following the burglary, we worked with our forensic units who were able to match the blood at the scene to Jean, and with our Operational Support Group who assisted us with facilitating the arrest."