A thieving duo have been jailed after stealing money from a partially sighted man after telling their victim that they'd cut him 'ear to ear'.

Jordan Hodgson and Ryan Oxley approached their victim on the night of March 21 this year along Robson Street in Shildon.

They threated the victim with a glass bottle and threatened to ‘cut him ear to ear’ before taking the victim's wallet and running off from the scene.

Read more: A174 Whitby: Man hospitalised as air ambulance attends serious crash

After launching an investigation, Durham Police identified the pair and arrested them on suspicion of robbery.

They were subsequently charged and appeared at Teesside Crown court on Thursday, November 24 where they both pleaded guilty to the offence.

Hodgson, 26, from Bishop Auckland, received a 36-month custodial sentence.

Oxley, 28 from Stockton-on-Tees was charged with further offences including two counts of assault, actual bodily harm and sending threatening communication – he received a 45-month custodial sentence.

Following the sentencing, detective constable Tony Ruggiero, from South Durham CID said: “The victim was left startled following this horrific and violent ordeal.

“I hope both Hodgson and Oxley will reflect on their offending in jail and the huge impact it has had on the victim."

Read next:

If you want to read more great stories, why not subscribe to your Northern Echo for as little as £1.25 a week. Click here