THE theft of some crisps and a box of chocolates led to several bystanders being assaulted and a three-hour stand-off between two men and the police outside a home in County Durham.

Patrick Duggan, 22, and Darren Hargrave, 21, were jailed for their role in the incident, which happened at the Spar shop at the Pit Stop Garage, in Murton, in east Durham, on February 21.

Daniel Barnes, 32, also admitted to a charge of affray.

Durham Crown Court heard the incident started at about 10pm when the shopkeeper spotted Duggan, of Palmstead Road, Sunderland, who was wearing a dressing gown and appeared to be drunk, on the store's CCTV.

Richard Bennett, prosecuting, said Hargraves, who was wearing a Russian-style winter hat, was seen taking a Cadbury's Milk Tray and some Walker's crisps before running out of the shop.

He was chased across the forecourt, dropping the items but when the shopkeeper returned to the Spar with them, Barnes became involved and started shouting abuse.

Hargraves returned, picked up the items he had taken before and made off, while Duggan punched a man, who was there with his disabled son.

The defendants were seen throwing items, including petrol cans, while another man, who tried to get involved to help the shopkeeper, was also punched.

Hargraves and Duggan then pulled knives out and were brandishing them outside the nearby pub, while Barnes was demanding a fight.

When police arrived, all three men ran off. Barnes was located and arrested while Hargraves and Duggan went to the former's home in Woods Terrace, Murton, where they became involved in a three-hour siege.

Barry Robson, mitigating for Hargraves, said he suffered from PTSD, for which he was medicated. He said: "When he is under peer pressure and takes drink and drugs he fails to take his medication and he becomes irresponsible, and lawless and he commits offences."

"He is remorseful and he knows he has to serve a period in prison."

Nick Lane, mitigating for Duggan, said he was "deeply ashamed" and had been drinking because he was unemployed and had "too much time on his hands".

Vince Ward, mitigating for Barnes, said his client had only become involved after being incorrectly accused of having had a hand in the initial attempt to steal from the shop.

He said: "He was so offended that he marched in to remonstrate and came to be involved."

"It's ironic and irrational. It's a completely emotional over-reaction."

Recorder Ian Atherton sentenced Hargrave to 25 months and Duggan to 22 months in jail. Barnes, of Esdale, Sunderland, was handed a nine month sentence, suspended for 24 months and will have to do 150 hours of unpaid work and take part in 30 rehabilitation days.

The judge told him: "It's disgraceful behaviour you are rightly embarrassed by."