A violent couple have been jailed after an aggravated burglary in Kidbrooke.

Peter Ball, 48, of no fixed abode was sentenced to 16 years and eight months in prison for aggravated burglary with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm.

He was also given a three year sentence for possession of an offensive weapon - a machete and petrol - which will run concurrently.

Denise French, 44, of Brook Lane, Kidbrooke was jailed for seven years, also for aggravated burglary with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm, with an additional sentence of two years in prison for possession of an offensive weapon to run concurrently.

Both were sentenced at Woolwich Crown Court yesterday (May 19).

They both pleaded guilty on January 19 to both charges, but Ball disputed the role he played during that hearing.

On May 16, Ball was due to stand trial but he pleaded guilty to the prosecution case.

On August 1 last year, at about 10.30pm, the victims, a man in his 40s and a woman in her 50s, were sitting in their living room when they heard a bang on their front door.

When one of the victims opened the door, he was confronted by Ball, who was holding in one hand a machete and in the other a jerrycan full of petrol.

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The machete used in the attack

Both Ball and French pushed their way into the property, doused their victims in petrol and threatened to slash their throats and set them alight.

The woman was knocked unconscious by Ball, who hit her with the butt of the machete when she attempted to escape.

After a frightening ordeal which lasted about 10 minutes, Ball and French left, however they returned and subjected the victims to more threats to kill.

A relative of the victims, who was hiding upstairs, heard the commotion and screams and called 999.

Officers from Greenwich Police arrived while Ball and French were still on the premises and French was still holding a machete in her hand. Officers arrested them and took them into custody.

Detectives believe that Ball and French may have decided to attack their victims after a feud between members of both families. The victims were not known to Ball and French.

Detective Constable Andrew Payne, of the violent and organised crime unit in Greenwich, said: "Peter Ball and Denise French terrified their victims for reasons they have not disclosed to police.

"They have never shown any genuine remorse for their actions and only admitted their guilt after they were presented with overwhelming forensic evidence.

"Their attack could have easily resulted in fatal injuries.

"The sentence given clearly highlights the seriousness of this incident and the violence with which Ball and French threatened their victims.

"This was an isolated incident, that you would only ever expect to see on this scale in films.

"I praise the police officers who dealt with the incident with bravery and professionalism. I also want to thank the victims who showed bravery and courage throughout the lengthy court proceedings."