TWO burglars who tied up and threatened a teenage boy with a gun have been sentenced to a total of 14 years behind bars.

The 14-year-old victim opened the door of his home in Biggin Hill at around 11pm on October 10 last year believing his sister was coming home.

But instead Marvin Lawrence and Viemars Saksa pushed their way into the house and threatened the teenager, demanding to know where the safe was.

After he said there was no safe they tied his hands and legs up with wire from a telephone they had ripped from the wall.

The victim managed to reach his mobile phone which was in his pocket and called his mother and the police after Lawrence, aged 26, and Saska, aged 18, had fled the house.

CCTV footage showed the pair in Burnt Ash Heights, Plaistow, shortly after the burglary carrying a laptop which they had stolen from the house.

The men, who were both casual acquaintances of the victim’s sister, were found guilty of aggravated burglary following a trial at Croydon Crown Court.

Lawrence, of Upchurch Road, Penge, was sentenced to eight years in prison.

Saksa, of Parish Lane, Penge, was given a six-year sentence.

Detective Inspector Jane Corrigan, from Bromley CID, said: "This was a particularly nasty burglary and I am pleased with the prison sentences handed down to Lawrence and Saksa.

“Bromley will be a safer place with them behind bars".