Two men violently assaulted a victim and threatened to torture him unless he paid them £5,000 during a “chilling” incident in Chester.

Stephen Randles and John McHugh were found carrying a bread knife and a kitchen knife in an alleyway in Cheyney Road following the attack on June 23 this year.

The pair assaulted Mark Archer, threatened him with torture while demanding he paid them thousands of pounds during the incident at a property on Cherry Road.

Randles, 29 and McHugh, 21, also blackmailed a second man for £5,000 during the terrifying attack earlier this year.

The pair also burgled a property in Chester, stealing electrical goods, cables, cash, a set of keys and tape during an incident on the same date.

Randles, of Brook Street, and McHugh, of Queensway, both pleaded guilty to two counts of blackmail, one count of assault, and one count of possession of a bladed article, during a hearing at Chester Crown Court on Monday (September 29).

They also pleaded guilty to one count of burglary.

The Recorder of Chester Judge Elgan Edwards described the case as “chilling” and warned the pair they faced a long custodial sentence.

Judge Edwards said: “There is the threat of torture here. Custody is quite inevitable in this case.”

The case was adjourned for pre-sentence reports.

Randles and McHugh were remanded in custody, and are due to appear back before Chester Crown Court for sentencing later this month.