A thug jailed for a terrifying tear gas attack at a Marlow home, which left its four occupants “deeply traumatised”, was lucky to escape with just a ten-year sentence, top judges have ruled.

Leon Falconer, of Wellspring Crescent, Wembley, has failed to appeal against his sentence after being jailed at Aylesbury Crown Court last January for aggravated burglary.

He and an accomplice carried out the raid on a home in The Croft, Judge Jeremy Carey told London's Appeal Court, using CS gas to stun and terrorise the residents.

“Physical and psychological harm was caused to the victims,” said the judge, who added that they suffered “intense physical pain”.

“They were left deeply traumatised,” he told the court.

Falconer's case reached the Appeal Court as he challenged both his conviction and his punishment.

But Judge Carey, sitting with Lady Justice Rafferty and Mr Justice Foskett, threw out his conviction appeal, commenting: “We see no force in any of the submissions made.”

Also rejecting Falconer's sentence challenge, he added: “The sentencing guidelines were correctly applied; he can have no complaint about the ten-year sentence.”

Falconer, along with an 18-year-old man who cannot be named for legal reasons, forced their way into the house in the early hours of February 17, 2013 and assaulting two men and two women inside by spraying them with the gas.

They then stole property, including mobile phones, jewellery and cash from the house before making their escape.

After a police investigation, the pair were charged less than two weeks later on March 1, and found guilty by a jury at Aylesbury Crown Court on August 30, despite entering not guilty pleas.

Upon their conviction, investigating officer Det Sgt Carl Wilson from High Wycombe Local CID said: “This was a particularly violent and intrusive assault, aggravated by the use of CS gas to incapacitate the victims.

“We are pleased that both men will now have a long time to reflect on their actions.”