TWO armed robbers who carried out a drink and drug-fuelled raid on a Worcester home in "almost laughable" disguises have been locked up.

Alex Warden, 43, and Stuart Halliday, 34, burst into the home of a young woman and her "vulnerable" partner in Diglis after taking valium, drinking and smoking cannabis, Worcester Crown Court was told.

Warden produced a crowbar from his sleeve as they barged in, shouting "where's the money?", the court heard.

The pair had attempted to disguise themselves by putting the hoods of their jackets up and tying them with drawstrings but were recognised straight away by the occupants, who said to them: "We know it's you, what are you doing?"

Tim Sapwell, prosecuting, said the raid started as Lavinia Stanley and her partner Matthew Jenkins, who recently suffered an accident and has a brain injury, were watching TV at home on the evening of March 7 this year.

Mr Jenkins' father Ian Jenkins, who was visiting to help care for his son, was also there at the time.

There was a knock at the door and Miss Stanley went to open it to reveal the two men, who had earlier been taking valium, drinking and smoking cannabis.

Warden produced a crowbar from his sleeve, though he did not injure anyone, and they barged in, shouting "where's the money?", Mr Sapwell said.

Miss Stanley recognised Warden, of George Street, Leominster, who was the father of her sister's children and she had known him for three years, the court heard.

Matthew Jenkins recognised Halliday, of Drake Avenue, Worcester, because they were part of the same circle of friends.

Miss Stanley was knocked down three times by Halliday and Warden threatened Matthew Jenkins with the crowbar while Ian Jenkins tried to "have a go" with the hose of a vacuum cleaner, Mr Sapwell said.

He was also hit and injured by Halliday as the two intruders kept asking "where's the money?"

Warden searched cupboards and they left with Miss Stanley's handbag, a mobile phone belonging to Matthew Jenkins and a bag from Ian Jenkins. Later, Warden was found to be trying to burn the pair of trainers he had worn in the raid.

Niall Skinner, defending Warden, said his attempts to disguise himself were "almost laughable" because the occupants of the house all said, "we know it's you, what are you doing?" and were calling him Lex.

"Quite what he thought was going to do and get away with if that was the extent of his disguise is questionable," Mr Skinner said.

Michael Aspinall, defending Halliday, said his attempts at disguise were "basic and ineffective" and fortunately the injuries caused were not serious.

Both men had long records for dishonesty and had spent time in prison but Mr Aspinall said Halliday had settled down with his partner and their four children and had been out of trouble for five years.

Recorder Rebecca Herbert said the armed raid had been targeted because they thought the house was occupied by a young woman and her vulnerable partner but did not know there was a third person present.

They believed there was money there and had barged in, fuelled by drink and drugs, leaving the occupants "terrified."

"I have no idea if you truly believed you would not be recognised or if you thought the police would not be called," she said.

She jailed Warden for eight years and Halliday for nine years.