THREE violent robbers are today beginning four-and-a-half years behind bars after beating up their victim as they raided his home.

Carl Pryke, 38, and brothers Jonathan, 19, and Martyn Rogers, 18, were sentenced at Ipswich Crown Court after pleading guilty to robbery.

The court heard how the trio raided a property in Nansen Road, off Nacton Road, Ipswich, and assaulted the occupant.

The men, all of Nacton Road, grabbed their victim by the throat before threatening and repeatedly punching him after gaining access to the property on March 17.

After raiding the bedrooms they stole an iPod and two tablet computers. All three were charged with robbery the following day.

Sentencing the trio, Mr Justice Saunders said: “All of you realise that this is a serious offence.

“To break into somebody’s house, while you are in there to assault him and then to steal property is very serious.”

He added: “I have decided it would be unfair to differentiate between you all.

“Carl Pryke, you are a lot older than the others and at your age you should know better, but on the other hand on the evidence you don’t seem to have been the pro-crime mover.

“You also have less previous convictions than the other two who are both developing a substantial criminal record at a young age.

“Jonathan Rogers, you have accepted it was your idea in the first place but you were the only one to show kindness and restraint to the victim.

“Martyn Rogers, you are the most violent and struck the blows when you were in there but you are the youngest.

“But the term of custody will be four-and-a-half years in each case.”

Both Rogers brothers will serve their sentences in a young offenders’ institution. The judge said the trio will serve half of their sentence before being released on licence.

He added: “Four-and-a-half years - you are relatively lucky.

“I hope you will take advantage of that and not throw it back in the court’s face. You now have some time to sort yourselves out.”