A Southfleet couple are rebuilding their lives after being terrorised in their beds by three masked men in a terrifying baseball bat attack.

The balaclava-clad hoodlums broke into their home in Highcross Road, tied them up with cable ties and hit them with a bat earlier this month.

Kent Police are offering a £5,000 reward to help track down the assailants of this violent aggravated burglary which left Jas Upaul, 60, and his wife Rani, 59, with horrific injuries.

The couple were asleep at around 10.15pm on July 1 when three men forced their way into the home by smashing the rear patio doors with a paving slab.

Mr Upaul said: "The shock of seeing them was awful and realising the inevitability of the situation. 

News Shopper:

"They just burst in and said, ‘Where’s the safe?’

"I got out of bed and seconds later was hit around the face with a baseball bat.

"The force left me with a broken eye socket and a broken cheekbone."

The nightmare was just beginning for the company director as he scrambled to find his footing.

He said: "I fell to the floor and they were punching and kicking me while I was on my knees and broke my upper jaw.

"My wife got out of bed and then they started on her and I said ‘don’t hit her' but they did."

The men stole jewellery, cash and other personal items from the safe before fleeing.

Mr Upaul said: "I punched in the first '9' to call the police but I couldn’t see anymore because I had blood falling down my face

"My wife had to finish off dialling the number."

News Shopper:

They were rushed to Medway Hospital with Mr Upaul suffering a broken jaw, fractured eye socket, severe swelling and bruising.

Mr Upaul faces a lengthy recovery - including more surgery - and showed News Shopper how his right eye is still out of alignment.

His wife suffered a fractured eye socket as well as other injuries.

He said: "I was taken to three different hospitals because my facial injuries were so serious. 

"I’ve had an operation where they inserted a metal plate but I will need several more surgeries.

"This experience has radically changed me 

"Spending the first night at home alone was a huge ordeal.

"My wife wants to keep all the blinds down which makes me feel claustrophobic but I can understand why she does it. 

"I dread leaving her alone in the house.

"We are grateful when we wake up each morning and we think we have had another safe night."

Investigating officer Detective Constable Alan Poulton said:  "This was an isolated incident, albeit an incredibly frightening one.

"If you saw anyone acting suspiciously in the area at the time of the offence or have been offered unique jewellery recently at discounted prices, we want to hear from you."

A cash reward of up to £5,000 is offered to anyone who provides information which leads to the arrest and conviction of the people responsible.

Call DC Alan Poulton on 01474 330600 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.