A man has admitted attempting to commit armed robberies at two convenience stores in a town in less than a week, last month.

Michael Murray is now facing a likely prison sentence once an assessment is made of the future risk he poses to the public.

The 21-year-old defendant of Medomsley Road, Consett, appeared at Durham Crown Court via video link from the city’s nearby prison.

He pleaded guilty to two charges of attempted robbery, plus ancillary counts of possessing an offensive weapon, a claw hammer, in one of the raids, and having a bladed article, a large-bladed knife, in public in the second incident.

Murray tried to take cash from the till at Deneburn Stores, in Deneburn Terrace, The Grove, Consett, on September 10 and at Park Road Convenience Store, on Park Road, Consett, on September 16, after which he was arrested by police.

(Image: Google Street View) Following a request by Murray’s counsel, Vic Laffey, Recorder Andrew Dallas agreed that a background report should be prepared by the Probation Service, primarily to assess the risk posed by the defendant.

Mr Laffey told the court: “He was having issues at the time with drugs, but there are no issues over his fitness to plead.

“He’s 21 and has only one previous conviction, but I know the report will only go to the length of sentence and the risk.”

Recorder Dallas said: “I agree, even though they (the offences admitted) attract a significant custodial sentence and the dangerousness of the defendant should be considered.”

(Image: The Northern Echo) Addressing the defendant, Recorder Dallas told him: “You will be given credit for those guilty pleas entered today.

“You will be sentenced next month to allow a report to be prepared by the Probation Service, primarily at the request of your lawyers.

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“In the meantime, you will be remanded in custody.

“The fact I’m calling for a report should not be taken as any indication as to the sentence, but obviously these are serious offences and custody is extremely likely.”

Murray will be sentenced at the court on November 13.