A burglar who was one of three men to “terrorise” a family in their own home in an early-hours’ break-in, has joined his two co-accused behind bars.

Paul David Routledge, 34, of South Parade, Thornley, and Robert Jones, 27, of Johnson Estate, Wheatley Hill, were previously jailed at Durham Crown Court after admitting burglary with intent to cause damage, affray and criminal damage.

It arose from a burglary in which furniture was damaged and threats were issued at a house in Front Street, Wheatley Hill, at about 4am on July 24, 2021.

Two cars parked outside were damaged as the trio left the premises.

Read more: Wheatley Hill house 'terrorised ' by intruders high on cocaine

A third participant in the intrusion and damage, Josh Ward, 23, of Barnard Avenue, Ludworth, received a 20-month sentence after admitting burglary, affray, two counts of damaging property, plus possession of a quantity of cocaine.

In a separate case Steven Horner, of Matthew Crescent, South Hetton, received the mandatory minimum sentence of five years imprisonment after admitting possession of a prohibited weapon, a firearm with an illegally-shortened barrel, found by police in the defendant’s garden shed, in October 2020.

The court heard residue, and Horner’s dna, were found on the slam gun to suggest it had been used to discharge ammunition.

Although he initially denied knowledge of the weapon, claiming it must have been left by a previous resident, Horner, who has no previous convictions, admitted the charge on the day of his scheduled trial, last month (March 13).

He absconded from court later that day, prior to sentence and a warrant was issued for his arrest, but he handed himself in later that week.

Neil Fox, 43, of Briar Close, Winlaton, Blaydon, in Gateshead, was jailed for four years after admitting assault causing actual bodily harm, assault by beating and damaging property, relating to a domestic assault on a former partner, who was pregnant at the time and later suffered a miscarriage.

During what Judge Jo Kidd described as a “prolonged, persistent” assault through the victim’s home, Fox was said to have punched, repeatedly kicked and head butted her, on November 27, last year.

The judge said apart from the physical injuries, Fox caused his victim great psychological trauma.

Judge Kidd said a condition of his licence, upon release near the mid-point in the sentence, should include prohibiting Fox from contacting or approaching his victim.

Scott Charlton, 22, of North Road East, Wingate, was jailed for 54 months after admitting a charge of robbery, plus four counts of fraud by false representation.

He is said to have forcibly taken a wallet from his victim in Gallagher Crescent, Horden, on August 29, last year and used a bank card it contained to make four purchases from a petrol service station in nearby Peterlee the same day.

Marcus Wood, 49, formerly of Bowes Village, near Barnard Castle, received an eight-month prison sentence after admitting a single count of attempting to engage in sexual communication with a child, in June, last year.

He believed he was communicating online with a 14-year-old girl, but, in reality, he fell for a decoy account posted online by the paedophile-hunting group, the Child Safety Online Team (COST).

The court heard Wood used increasingly more sexualised language in the exchanges and tried to coax the “girl” to send him images of herself in her underwear.

Wood was also made subject of both a Sexual Harm Prevention Order, prohibiting him from having any online contact or communication with any girl aged under 16, and notification requirements as a sex offender, both for ten years.

As a result of his arrest for this offence he was recalled to prison to serve the outstanding unserved part of a three-year prison sentence imposed on him for an offence of fraud by false representation at Durham Crown Court, in February 2021.

Read more: Fraudster claimed money would be repaid from an inheritance

The court was told he is not due to be released from the remainder of that sentence until February 8, next year.

Read next:

* Ill-feeling between former friends led to Trimdon street hammer attack

* Ferryhill brothers jailed for 'violent' behaviour over £140 laminate flooring

* Drunken Ferryhill man took to wheel of estranged partner's car

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Shaun Spencer, 26, of Rowlandson Terrace, Ferryhill, received a 40-month prison sentence after admitting three counts of burglary, all committed overnight on February 21/22 this year.

Two of the targeted properties were in Dean Road and the other in Broomside, all in Ferryhill.

The court heard he took a television set in one of the break-ins, but he left empty-handed from the other two.