TWO men who carried out a masked burglary with knives and hammers from a Caerphilly flat have been jailed for a total of 21 years.

Jason David Soal, 38, of Holly Road, Risca, was on the run after breaching a life license for killing a man in 1991 when he attempted to burgle drug dealer Lee Evans' flat, where Mr Evans lived with partner Paula Williams and their three-year-old daughter Skye, in Pontlottyn on November 7 last year.

Soal's accomplice, Christopher Chapman, 35, of Lansbury Avenue, Cefn Hengoed, wore a balaclava as did Soal and the men forced entry to the flat before beating Evans in his kitchen, Cardiff Crown Court heard today.

Soal tried to tie up Ms Williams in an attack reminiscent of the incident in 1991, said Judge Stephen Hopkins, motivated because he believed Evans kept cash in the house.

Chapman, who appeared in Cardiff today via video link, ran away empty-handed while Soal continued to move through the house. Chapman was apprehended by three passersby.

Soal desisted his attack on Ms Williams, who dialled 999, and left the house empty-handed but was arrested that night and told police he had a cannabis factory at his home in Risca.

Both men initially pleaded not guilty to the charge of aggravated burglary but changed their pleas on the day of trial, May 21 this year.

The case was delayed for reports and for a crash on the M5 motorway which prevented the defendants reaching Cardiff on October 2.

Judge Hopkins sentenced Soal, who he described as the "prime mover" in the burglary, to 12 years in prison, of which he must serve six years before being considered for parole, with eight months concurrent for producing 14 cannabis plants.

Chapman was sentenced to nine years in prison.

Evans was sentenced to 18 months in prison in July this year for the production of cannabis.

DC Gareth Davies of Gwent Police's major incident team said: "The sentences passed today reflect the seriousness of the crimes committed by Soal and Chapman, and I am pleased they won’t pose a threat to the public for a very long time.

"Incidents of this nature are fortunately rare but when they do occur perpetrators can expect the police to track them down and for substantial prison terms to be passed.

"Hopefully this case will act as a deterrent to others tempted into committing this kind of crime."