DETECTIVES say they are keeping an open mind over whether the gang responsible for the terror robbery in Liverpool may be connected to an earlier ‘boiling kettle’ raid in St Helens.

Neil Stockley, 39 and from Prescot, is so far the only man from the pack of thugs that has been brought to justice for targeting the family-of-five in Liverpool and Merseyside Police says the case remains open.

However, the Star understands police have also been investigating whether there are links with a similarly harrowing ordeal at a property on Elton Head Road last year, during which masked thugs tortured a victim by pouring boiling water on him.

That robbery and another in Warrington featured in BBC Crimewatch reconstructions last December but so far no one has been charged over them.

Commenting on the offence that Stockley was jailed for, a spokesman for Merseyside Police said: "This was a particularly terrifying experience for the family involved and the sentence reflects the severity of the offence.

"The Force will not tolerate offences of this nature, which cause people a considerable amount of fear in their own homes. Officers worked tirelessly to find those involved and bring them to justice and our enquiries are still ongoing.

"We would appeal to anyone with any information about this incident, or other similar incidents, to come forward, in confidence, so we can prevent other families from experiencing such terrifying ordeals."

Anyone with any information is asked to call Merseyside Police on 0151 777 5364, or Crimestoppers, anonymously, on 0800 555 111.