A GANG who posed as police and attacked a man in the middle of the night in his flat have been spared jail, even though a judge said they deserved to be put behind bars.

The thugs’ target was John Anderson, the ex-partner of Sophie Cannon, who was the current partner of Joshua Smith – the gang’s ring-leader. Two other members were her brothers.

Judge David Turner QC said they deserved to go to prison but in light of their age, work records, family circumstances and guilty pleas he could suspend their sentences.

The gang included Joshua Smith, 25, of Hawkwood Road, Sible Hedingham, Ben Cannon, 26, of Blackwood Chine, South Woodham Ferrers, Sam Cannon, 22, of Rothmans Avenue, Chelmsford, and Daniel Stroud, 22, of Golding Thoroughfare, Chelmsford.

The court was told after they were let in to Mr Anderson’s flat in Galleywood, pretending to be police, they punched and kicked him.

The 1.30am attack took place on May 1 last year and Mr Anderson was chased as he tried to escape.

They all pleaded guilty to causing actual bodily harm to Mr Anderson and were each given ten-month jail sentences, suspended for two years. They were also ordered to carry out 250 hours unpaid work each and ordered to be under a tagged curfew for two months from 9pm to 5am.

The judge also ordered they should each pay their victim £125 compensation and £250 costs.