THREE men who robbed a house in Darwen brandishing a ‘Rambo' style knife and golf club in an alleged turf war over drugs have been jailed.

During the robbery by three masked raiders, a man was punched and cut with the knife and a woman’s mobile phone was stolen to prevent her calling for help.

A third man was also tied up at a separate house while William Gorman, 41, Dominic McKenna, 38, and Roy Connell, 41, used his key to enter the house in Edmund Street.

MORE TOP STORIES:

The court heard that earlier that day, Alec Harris had visited victims Steven Mountain and Alison Henderson and had been given a key to use when he returned later.

But when he arrived at Gorman’s house in Perry Street, Gorman made threats against Mr Harris’ family and tied him up so he could not escape.

At around 3.20am, Miss Henderson and Mr Mountain heard a key in the door and thought it was Mr Harris returning.

But they were met by three men wearing balaclavas and Mr Mountain was immediately punched in the face.

One of the men held a commando knife to Mr Mountain’s throat, nicking his skin, while they demanded to know where the money was.

But when they could not find any cash, they emptied the pocket of Mr Mountain’s jacket and took his change. They also took a mountain bike and a TV, the court heard.

Judge Heather Lloyd jailed Gorman for nine years and five months, McKenna for nine years and Connell for seven years and nine months.

She said: “Upon your return, the hapless Alec Harris was untied. He says you were all happy, saying ‘that was fun’ and jumping about. He wanted to leave but he was unable to.”

Mr Mountain and Miss Henderson were unable to identify the raiders as they were wearing balaclavas, but told officers they had given a key to Mr Haris earlier.

Police went to his home but when his father said he had not returned home, officers went to Perry Street - where he had been ordered to hide in a wardrobe and was not found.

When officers later arrested him at home the following day, on suspicion of being involved in the robbery, Mr Harris told his father: “I’ll just have to take the rap for this one Dad. That’s how life is.”

However it later emerged he was tied up at Gorman’s house at the time of the robbery.

Gorman pleaded guilty to false imprisonment and two counts of robbery. McKenna and Connell were convicted of robbery following a trial.

Judge Lloyd said: “You all played a part in terrorising the residents in that house.”