A DRUG debt led two brothers to storm into a Newent man’s home on Christmas Day and attack him with a pistol and a baseball bat, a court heard last week.

Matthew Davies, 39, of Glebe Road, Newent, was jailed for five and a half years and his brother Lee Davies, 28, of The Tythings, Newent, received a four year sentence after they both pleaded guilty to aggravated burglary.

Gloucester Crown Court heard they went to Stuart Dalby’s home in Culver Street on Christmas Day afternoon because he allegedly owed £200 for heroin. He was about to open the door to them when they barged in and unleashed an assault lasting four to five minutes.

The court was told that Matthew and Lee went to Mr Dalby’s house because, they alleged, he owed Lee £200.

"This was in relation to heroin which had been left at his house six to eight weeks earlier," said prosecutor Janine Wood.

"On December 25 Matthew Davies entered the hallway, grabbed Mr Dalby round the throat and held him. He had a silver handgun in his other hand. He was hitting Mr Dalby repeatedly to the head and face.”

Judge Jamie Tabor QC told the pair: "Drug debts are one of the most toxic features of the drug culture.”