A MOTHER-of-two was confronted by three armed men who burst into her home after 4am and started breaking furniture and mirrors, a court heard.

Only a plea by Kirsty Harris that her two children were asleep upstairs caused the trio to walk away - but they still smashed up a car parked outside with a pickaxe handle as they were leaving.

Damen Kershaw, 26, one of the three, was today starting a six-year jail sentence after he was recognised by Miss Harris, who he had known for a number of years.

The two other men are still wanted by police.

Kershaw, of Laithe Street, Burnley, who had previous convictions for burglary and making threats to kill, admitted an offence of aggravated burglary, with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm on Alan Baker, in relation to the incident on May 2.

The court heard Kershaw had an on-going grievance with Mr Baker which had prompted the attack.

Passing sentence, Judge Simon Newell said: "It must be difficult for two children, who have been exposed to what happened in this case, to sleep peacefully in future.

"I accept that, because of the evidence which has been presented, that when you knew there were children there that you urged the other men to leave. It was you outside though that said 'do the car', and the car was 'done'."

Paul Cummings, prosecuting, said Miss Harris and Mr Baker, who live in Healey Wood Road, Burnley, were awoken at around 4.15am by a loud banging on their front door accompanied by shouted threats.

Mr Baker left the house by the back door and went to a neighbour's property.

Miss Harris went downstairs and was confronted by Kershaw, and two men wearing balaclavas, who were passing a pickaxe handle between them as they trashed furniture and mirrors.

She told them: 'Take what you want, just leave us alone' as they shouted 'where is he?' and 'I'm going to kill him'.

Mr Cummings said that Miss Harris had known Kershaw for a number of years and had completed a tattoo for him, although he had not been happy with the outcome and refused to pay.

Later it emerged that Kershaw had also made phone calls on another issue, wanting to speak to Mr Baker, and had sent a series of text messages, increasingly threatening in nature, in the run-up to the pre-dawn attack.

Richard Taylor, defending, said: "The defendents father sadly died some five years ago. He was a heroin addict and his mother, who sits at the side of the court to support him, has also been a significant heroin addict.

"The defendent has never approved of heroin. Yes he has used cannabis but denies any heroin usage.

"A young relation of the defendant's was introduced to heroin and he was very upset about that. That is the background to the matter."

Mr Taylor added: "He has told me in conference that this was a huge mistake. He is embarrassed and ashamed at what he has done and knows he has let himself and his family down."