A judge refused to show mercy to a burglar who was shot in the face by a homeowner - as it was revealed his victims have fled the UK fearing a revenge attack.
Joshua O'Gorman, 27, begged for a reduced sentence after Andy Ferrie, 35, blasted him with a shotgun during the raid.
But today Judge Michael Pert QC ignored the plea and jailed O'Gorman and accomplice Daniel Mansell, 33, for four years each.
He told O'Gorman: "I make it plain that, in my judgment, being shot is not mitigation.
"If you burgle a house in the country where the householder owns a legally held shotgun, that is the chance you take.
"You cannot come to court and ask for a lighter sentence because of it."
The scar from the shotgun wound was clearly visible on the right side of O'Gorman's face as he stood in the dock. Mansell had his right arm in a sling.
O'Gorman's lawyer tried to argue that his client had been traumatised by the injuries he sustained.
But Judge Pert told how Andy and his wife Tracey, 43, were the real victims - after they were held in police custody for almost two days.
He added: "This is a burglary where the occupants were at home. You both say you did not know this, but that is no consolation to them.
"They have suffered the trauma we have heard about. Being locked up for 40 hours can be regarded as a trauma."
O'Gorman and Mansell, who have a string of previous convictions, broke into the Ferrie's isolated farm cottage on September 2.
Andy and Tracey were disturbed by the noise and went downstairs to investigate. They saw a gang of three men with their faces covered with masks.
When one of them reached into a kitchen drawer containing knives, Andy fired his legally-held shotgun.
He immediately called police to explain what had happened and was arrested alongside his wife.
The couple were held in custody for around 40 hours on suspicion of causing grievous bodily harm.
But they were eventually released without charge.
O'Gorman and Mansell fled empty-handed and were arrested when they turned up at a nearby hospital with shotgun injuries.
They told police how they decided to raid the Ferrie's home in Welby, near Melton Mowbray, Leics., after hearing £100,000 of cannabis and £70,000 of cash were stashed in a safe.
But Alan Murphy, prosecuting, said police found no evidence of drugs or money during their investigation.
Andy, who runs a motorhome repair business, and Tracey did not attend Leicester Crown Court.
The couple are believed to have emigrated to Australia on Monday amid fears of a revenge attack.
Tracey's mum Hazel Towell, 63, from Burton-on-Trent, Staffs, said: "They feared for their safety.
"They had always intended to emigrate to Australia but planned to go next year.
"They had spent three months in the country last year and fell in love with it.
"But with everything that's happened and fears of reprisals they hastily changed their plans.
"They managed to get their visas sorted out, which is good. Any criminal convictions would have wrecked their chances."
She added: added: "I don't think four years is nearly enough. It's no deterrent to villains like these.
"Both men have been inside prison plenty of times before. They'll both probably only serve half their sentence and be out in less than two years.
"But I am pleased the judge didn't reduce the sentences because they had been shot.
"It's quite simple, if they hadn't broken into my daughter's home then they wouldn't have been shot. They can't expect sympathy."
O'Gorman and Mansell, both from Leicester, admitted burglary with intent to steal.
Andrew Frymann, defending O'Gorman, said he had suffered serious facial injuries, which have left him with blurred vision and scarring.
Frymann argued that his client could face mental health issues as a result of his "near-death experience".
He said: "He was shot without any warning or foresight in the face with a shotgun.
"This is a form of summary justice or punishment which I submit should be taken into consideration."
But Judge Pert refused to hand out a more lenient sentence.
O'Gorman has 16 previous convictions involving 27 offences, many for dishonesty and driving offences.
Mansell was released from prison in May last year after serving part of a six-year sentence for wounding with intent.
In total his criminal record consists of eight previous convictions involving 19 offences.
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