A MAN who had advertised expensive computer equipment online was violently attacked in his own home by six people who stole items worth £18,000.

The victim, who lives at an address in St Cleeve Way, Ferndown, was at home at around 10.15pm on Wednesday, September 27 last year when his doorbell rang.

When he answered, he saw 19-year-old Octavio Gomes on the doorstep. The door was then forced open by three or four men.

The Dorset man, who is in his 30s, was repeatedly punched and put in a headlock by one of the intruders as valuable equipment was stolen.

Police believe he was targeted as he'd recently advertised computer kit for sale online.

A neighbour who had heard a disturbance contacted the police and saw around four people running from the house carrying items.

The victim sustained fractures to both cheek bones, which required reconstructive surgery, as well as bruising to his face and torso.

Officers from Sussex Police stopped a black Vauxhall Astra in Eastbourne in the early hours of the following day.

The six people in the vehicle were arrested. All have now been jailed. Computer equipment belonging to the victim was found in the boot of the car.

Keiran Gausden, 24 and of Kingston Road, Eastbourne, East Sussex, Gomes, of Pevensey, St Leonards-on-Sea, East Sussex, and a 17-year-old boy from Eastbourne, who cannot be named for legal reasons, were sentenced after admitting robbery at Lewes Crown Court on April 17.

Brendan Fellows, 29 and of Etchingham Road, Eastbourne, Charlie Fellows, 27 of Sorel Drive, Eastbourne, and Ross Jackson, 32 and of Whinchat Road, Greenwich, London, were also sentenced after pleading guilty to burglary.

Gausden was sentenced to eight years and eight months in prison, Gomes was sentenced to six years and eight months and the 17-year-old was sentenced to three years.

Brendan Fellows received a sentence of three years and four months, Charlie Fellows – who also admitted breaching a suspended sentence order – was jailed for four years and one month and Jackson was sentenced to two years and eight months.

Detective Constable Adrian Turner, of Bournemouth CID, said: “These defendants targeted the victim after seeing the items advertised online and used a gratuitous level of violence during this incident.

“The attack left the victim with serious injuries, which he is still facing further treatment for.

“I would like to thank colleagues from Sussex Police for their assistance in apprehending the offenders and I hope the sentences imposed demonstrate that those responsible for these kind of violent offences will be brought to justice.”