These are the men who tried to rob a family-of-five in the mistaken belief their Oxford home was a drugs den.

Joseph Gunning and Farouk Abdul, both 21, were part of a shotgun-toting gang that smashed its way into the Little Bury family home last May.

A masked gunman pointed what appeared to be a sawn-off shotgun at the mum-of-four. The family dog, which the woman claimed was a Pitbull terrier, scared the gang away when it began barking ferociously.

Gunning was sentenced to nine-and-a-half years at Oxford Crown Court on Thursday. His co-defendant received eight years. Both admitted conspiracy to rob.

Oxford Mail:

Joseph Gunning's custody shot Picture: THAMES VALLEY POLICE

Oxford Mail:

Farouk Abdul's custody shot Picture: THAMES VALLEY POLICE

Judge Nigel Daly told them: “A lady and her children, some of them quite young, were in their house believing themselves to be safe, believing themselves to be protected when you together with others smashed your way into that house.

“Between you, you had with you an imitation firearm – like a shotgun – and at least one knife.

“I’m sure that you appreciate because neither of you are stupid just what effect that would have had on that mother and her young children who were awoken and had to face these men breaking into their house armed with weapons.”

READ MORE: 'Pitbull' saved family from shotgun robbery gang

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