VIOLENT thugs burst into a home of a watch repairer and threatened to 'slit his throat from ear-to-ear' if he didn't do as they said.

Victim Jim Webb was at home in the Bitterne area of Southampton when the back door suddenly flung open, and three men in balaclavas burst in.

Now, robber Jack Murray is starting an 11-year jail sentence for his role in the violent burglary.

Armed with a crowbar, the gang told Mr Webb to hand over his valuable Rolex watch with the warning he would not be hurt if he didn't struggle.

Prosecutor Jodie Mittell, said: “But he did struggle, and he was then subjected to a nasty and brutal assault.

“He was struck on the body and on the head with the crowbar, causing his head to bleed. One of the men then picked up Mr Webb's kitchen knife and held it to his neck.

“He said if he resisted he would slit his throat from ear to ear. The men eventually ran away taking the watch with them.”

The court heard the trio of robbers - which included 29-year-old Murray, and accomplice Joseph Flaherty - ran from the back of the property in Wynter Road and jumped into a silver Mercedes, driven by getaway driver, Nathan Arcon.

Police found the vehicle less than an hour later in Primrose Road, on the Flowers Estate area of the city, where Flaherty had just been dropped off.

As Pc Livermore conducted a vehicle check, Arcon drove off. The officer turned his vehicle round and gave chase, forcing it to stop in nearby Violet Road.

Ms Mittell said Murray's mobile phone was discovered on the front passenger seat where he had been sitting. A holdall and its contents recovered from the rear footwell also belonged to him.

An examination of the phone showed text messages between Murray and Arcon.

Murray went on the run for 19 months and was not arrested until he was found sleeping in a car.

Now he has begun the 11-year sentence after being convicted of aggravated burglary.

He had pleaded not guilty, claiming he had played no part in the crime.

Passing sentence, Judge Peter Ralls QC said it was a despicable crime that was planned and targeting. “People in their home are entitled to feel safe,” he added.

At their trials, Flaherty received 10 years and Arcon was locked up for seven.

A fourth person was acquitted of taking part in the burglary.