A MAN from St Helens and the notorious Bridge brothers are among a ruthless gang jailed for committing a series of violent burglaries at affluent homes.

Adam Eden, 20, and the brothers John, Alan, and Luke Bridge, formerly of Rainhill, have been handed lengthy prison sentences for committing 25 burglaries.

Cash, jewellery and cars to the value of more than £1.7million were netted by an eight-strong gang during their six-month reign of terror.

They were captured as part of Operation Blackbird which investigated burglaries across the North West.

Eden was arrested last August during a dramatic dawn swoop at his home in Axbridge Avenue, Sutton Leach.

The Bridge brothers, part of a so-called family of hell who lived in Rainhill several years ago after being given a wide-ranging ASBO, were also held.

As the gang started lengthy prison terms this week, detectives explained how the crooks would target expensive homes late at night.

The thugs would threaten the occupants, often arming themselves with bats and knives.

They carefully selected targets, notably expensive cars, upmarket homes and rural locations.They drive high-powered stolen cars back to their “headquarters” in Barnes Road, Widnes, at speeds above 140mph.

In February 2009, the notorious gang targeted a home in Culcheth, Warrington.

The victim was ambushed as he arrived home from work by weapon-wielding thugs who stole more than £20,000 of valuables.

Days later they struck again in Warrington. They broke into the house, dragged the victim from the shower and demanded cash.

He was threatened with a metal file and held in a room while the offenders ransacked the house and then fled in his car.

But they were eventually snared by police last summer and eight men pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit burglary.

At Chester Crown Court, Eden, 20, was sentenced to 11-and-a-half-years in prison.

His mother wrote a letter to the court and was in tears when the sentence was read out.

John Bridge (25), of Barnes Road, Widnes - said to be the gang’s ringleader - was handed 13 years.

Bridge’s brothers Alan (24), Luke (21), of the same address, were jailed for 12-and-a-half-years and seven years respectively.

David Potter, defending John Junior and Alan Bridge, said John disputed he was at the top of hierarchy.

Andrew Jebb, defending Luke said the younger sibling could not read or write and was led on by his elder brothers.

Adam Blowes, 19, of Pennard Avenue, Huyton, was jailed for four years and Sean Summers, 23, of Rockford Avenue, Liverpool, for 50 weeks.

Robert McBride, of Merrille Barracks, Colchester, was on leave from the army when he took part in three burglaries.

Iain Johnstone, defending, said the 20-year-old was driven by greed. He was given an eight year sentence.

Judge David Hale said: “You have caused immense misery to all those involved, not just monetary but the emotional damage you have caused too.”

James Boffey, 24, of Signal Works Road, Fazakerley, was not sentenced because he had absconded and there is a warrant out for his arrest.