A robber has been jailed for eight years after his break-in was transmitted by a games console.

Jay Georgiou, 19, was one of a pair of robbers who burst into a flat in Tenterden Close, Eastbourne, and demanded that the three men inside give them money and drugs.

The victims had been playing the Xbox game Call of Duty: Black Ops 2 online with a friend who was in Brighton when the robbers entered the flat, shortly before 5pm on April 1.

Georgiou, who was wearing a crash helmet, hit one of the men over the head with what appeared to be a handgun and the second man grabbed a knife from the kitchen before they tied up the residents and threatened to shoot or stab them unless they gave them drugs and money.

The robbers grabbed a laptop, mobile phones and the Xbox with games and left.

The intruders did not realise that what was going on at the flat could be heard by the friend in Brighton via the games console and he raised the alarm after hearing the victims being threatened and assaulted.

And hapless Georgiou even stopped mid-incident to take a phone call from his probation officer to discuss him missing an appointment.

Officers tracked down Georgiou from his description and arrested him in Milfoil Drive, Eastbourne, less than two hours after the incident.

Detectives are still trying to identify the other man involved.

He was wearing a ski mask or balaclava and is thought to be white, 20 to 25 with ginger hair.

Detective Constable Richard Holder said: "This was a terrifying incident for the victims who appear to have been targeted entirely by mistake.

"The robbers were brutal in their treatment of the friends but Georgiou even stopped during the incident to take a phone call from his probation officer as he had missed an appointment.

"We will continue to work to track down the other robber involved so that he too can face justice like Georgiou."

Georgiou, of Northbourne Road, Eastbourne, was convicted of robbery and possession of an imitation firearm when he appeared in court.

He was jailed for eight years at Brighton Crown Court on July 11 and ordered to pay £120 costs.

If you know anything about the robbery call 101 quoting serial 1220 of 01/04, email 101@sussex.pnn.police.uk or call the independent charity Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555111.