A GANG of four are behind bars after carrying out a "cowardly and barbaric attack" on a house containing three women and two children.

Judge Stephen Hopkins said at Cardiff Crown Court it was one of the worst cases of its kind he had encountered in his long experience.

"Rarely if ever have I seen such traumatised victims," he said.

Lee Davies, 23, of Baileys Crescent, Garndiffaith, his brother Kevin Davies, 23, of Mynydd Close, Blaenavon, David Rees, 28, of Lower Ty Gwyn, Garndiffaith, and Andrew Lewis, 18, of Bethel Court, Garndiffaith, each admitted a charge of violent disorder.

Rees received three years 10 months, Kevin Davies and Lee Davies were each sentenced to three years eight months and Lewis was sent to a young offenders institution for three years.

During the attack on the house in Gwyn Crescent, Garndiffaith, windows and a front door were smashed in and four parked cars were damaged, said the judge.

He said that shortly before 9pm on March 1 last year a mob of about 16 approached the house carrying baseball bats, pickaxe handles and a sledgehammer. Some were disguised with hats and hoods.

Inside the house, which had a security camera, were three women, one aged over 65, and two children.

Threats and abuse were screamed at the occupants and the front door was smashed in with a sledgehammer and windows smashed.

The judge said the victims were "terrified by this cowardly and barbaric attack" and said the reason for the alcohol-fuelled incident was because some of the mob had hostility towards the occupiers.

The incident lasted about 20 minutes but to some, said prosecutor Martyn Kelly, it seemed like a lifetime.

"One of the occupants believed they could be killed," he said.

At one point said Mr Kelly one of the gang shouted "I'll kill you, I'll kill the lot of you."