An armed man broke into a house in Fishguard and forced the occupants to barricade themselves in the kitchen, a judge heard today (Monday).

Sam Charnley, aged 21, of the caravan, Wolfsdale Pitt, Wolfsdale, broke through two doors to get his hands on Christopher Fluskey.

Mr Fluskey and a relative hid in the kitchen and managed to stop Charnley from getting in.

Charnley admitted aggravated burglary while intending to cause Mr Fluskey grievous bodily harm and was today jailed for three years.

Nicola Powell, prosecuting, told Swansea crown court that Mr Fluskey had once been in a relationship with Charnley’s partner, Melissa and they had a son together, although he lived with Mr Fluskey.

On September 5 Charnley drove to Mr Fluskey’s home in High Street, Fishguard.

He armed himself with a crowbar and broke through two doors while Mr Fluskey was talking on the telephone to a 999 operator.

Miss Powell said one of the victims could be seen screaming out of the kitchen window.

Charnley’s barrister, Dyfed Thomas, described the case as exceptionally sad.

Judge Peter Heywood said that despite being put through a terrifying ordeal Mr Fluskey had written to the court urging leniency.

“You lost your rag, you lost control,” Judge Heywood told Charnley.

“Foul words were said that day but you were not willing to leave it at that,” he added.

Melissa Charnley, aged 30, of the same address, was also arrested and charged with aggravated burglary.

But she denied the charge during a hearing last month and a formal not guilty verdict was entered.