A thug who viciously slashed his victim’s knees after tying him up in a "nightmare" attack has been jailed for 14 years.

Andrew Rochester, 37, of Kingsmead Road, SW2, was found guilty of robbery and grievous bodily harm (GBH) at Kingston Crown Court on November 6 for offences committed on March 25.

His victim, a 24-year-old man, of Fulmer Close in Hampton, answered the door to a man wearing a hi-vis jacket who claimed he was a postman before two other men appeared, one of whom was Rochester, and all three pushed him inside the flat.

The three men beat the man before tying him up with an electrical cord and a belt.

Rochester and his accomplices demanded £10,000 from the victim, who did not understand what they were talking about and said he had only £30 in cash, according to police.

Rochester slashed the victim’s knees with a serrated knife he found in the kitchen as the man lay on the floor with his hands and feet bound. The trio then ransacked the flat looking for money.

A neighbour heard the victim’s cries for help and the men banging and smashing in the flat above her and phoned the police.

The trio ran off when they heard police sirens, officers believe, but Rochester was arrested on May 6.

The other two men are yet to be identified.

Rochester received a 14-year sentence for robbery and nine years for GBH, with both sentences to run concurrently.

Detective constable Kris Latham, of Richmond CID, said: "What the victim endured in this incident can only be described as that of a person's nightmares.

"The victim was tied up with cables, unable to defend himself and viciously attacked with a knife inside what was at the time, his home."

DC Latham added: "The personal strength of the witnesses should be commended; they fought against their own fears in the pursuit of justice, to bring this case to court. It is through the strength of their evidence, without as much, this conviction could not have been secured."

If anyone has any information on the other two - both black men - they should contact Richmond CID on 101 or if you wish to remain anonymous Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.