A man who terrorised innocent victims in their homes during a series of late night raids has been jailed for 13 years.

Sean Seawright targeted the properties in upmarket housing developments across Glasgow and Lanarkshire.

The victims were selected mainly for the 26-year-old to get his hands on their expensive cars.

A jury heard evidence of petrified children in tears as Seawright stormed into houses.

During one incident, he and an accomplice claimed to be police armed with dangerous stun guns.

One couple were left so traumatised they sold their home after being raided.

Seawright was eventually caught and on Tuesday was sentenced at the High Court in Glasgow.

He was convicted of 18 charges including theft, assault and housebreaking.

Lady Stacey told him: "You stole cars and damaged property... you also terrified people who were in their own homes at night.

"You left people feeling frightened and stressed for many months afterwards.

"To me, you are a danger to the public."

Seawright, who had denied the offences, will also be supervised for a further two years on his release.

The crimes took place over a number of days in late March and April last year.

Seawright, who already had a history of violence, was joined by an unknown accomplice.

Two homes in Crossford, South Lanarkshire, were initially targeted. Car keys were stolen from one of the properties.

Seawright then raided the luxury house of Mandeep and Pritpal Hoonjan in Robroyston, Glasgow.

Mr Hoonan remembered hearing "rummaging" downstairs as he lay in bed.

As he went to investigate, he shone a torch and was met with yells of "armed police".

The 45 year-old recalled of the ordeal: "My first thought was to get my child out of the way. I wanted to make sure of the welfare of my family.

"I locked my wife and child in the bathroom. My daughter was crying and my wife was panicky. I immediately called the police."

The witness said the "threatening" intruders stole his wife's Volkswagen Golf.

The court heard the family have since sold their home and Mr Hoonjan has even sold his own Audi fearing they could be targeted again.

He said his wife was left "absolutely distraught" adding: "It's just been a very difficult time until we managed to move house."

The court heard how Seawright went on to target three more homes during terrifying raids, stealing an Audi and a Mercedes in the process.

Victims Gordon and Carol Anne Stevenson, whose £35,000 VW Golf and £20,000 Renault were parked in the driveway, were also targeted.

Seawright and his accomplice threatened to stab and shoot the couple at their East Kilbride home.

A distressed Mrs Stevenson said: "The glass in the front door ended up smashed. The noise was horrendous. I thought they must have mistaken identity, but I thought they were coming to get us."

The mother said she still suffers flashbacks, adding: "It has taken a long time to get over it. It has been really tough."

Seawright was then part of a similar attack on Garry Gallagher's home in East Kilbride.

Armed with a crowbar and a hammer, he stole a Volkswagen car from the property.

But, following a police chase, Seawright was snared in Hamilton, South Lanarkshire.

Despite later being freed on high court bail, he was part of one more terrifying raid.

Last December, Seawright teamed up with John McAuley, 30, and James Muirhead, 19, to storm a house in Coatbridge, North Lanarkshire.

Victim Brian Lamb was stabbed before his sporty Volkswagen Golf R and £500 was stolen.

Prosecutor Shanti Maguire said Seawright was guilt of "escalating violence" showing "indifference" to the victims.

She added there had been "fear and intimidation instilled in people in their own homes."

McAuley was jailed for six years and Muirhead locked up for five years after they were convicted for their roles in the attack on Mr Lamb.

McAuley will supervised for a further three years on his release with Muirhead monitored for 18 months.