Ricky Purcell,  the slight-looking 20-year-old, bragged that he was the 'Mr Big' behind a gang which carried out an attack on a couple's flat in Bodmin, Cornwall.

The incident took place when six men wearing balaclavas forced their way into the family home armed with knives and hammers, and attempted to extort money from the couple for drugs.

The gang struck the mother on the head and body, and inflicted deep cuts on her partner.

During the attack the woman's 11-year-old son - who was hiding under a bed - offered them his £4 pocket money so they would go away.

Purcell described himself as 'Mr Big' to officers - but probation officers believed this was simply bravado.

Prosecutor Elaine Hobson said that when the mother answered her door at lunchtime, the men barged in and pushed her into the bathroom where she was hit on the head and body, reported Daily Mail.

She screamed at them not to hurt her children before the gang, armed with knives and hammers, inflicted deep cuts on her partner's arm in the bedroom - as her son hid under the bed.

The men demanded cash but when the woman said they did not have any, her son offered them his pocket money.


After the attack Purcell gave himself up to police and said he had planned the attack and had wounded the man.

Purcell, of no fixed address, admitted violent disorder during the attack on February 26, and was sent to a Young Offenders' Institute for six years and eight months by Judge Philip Wassall.

Purcell refused to name the other members of the gang, who had Mancunian and Liverpool accents.

They are still being hunted by police.

Nigel Hall, defending, said that Purcell was young and immature for his age and that he had been exploited.