TWO teenagers tried to carry out robberies at takeaway premises in a half-hour of drug and drink-fuelled "madness", a court heard.

The 16-year-olds, who were recognised by staff, were unsuccessful in attempts to rob both premises, in Durham's Sherburn Road.

Durham Crown Court heard they had been drinking and taking drugs before they armed themselves with a wooden plank to threaten staff at a fish and chip shop late on November 24 last year.

Tim Gittins, prosecuting, said they were told to leave in no uncertain terms when they demanded money at K Law Fisheries.

They returned with a stick a short time later and shouted threats from outside. When the owner locked the door, they broke a window and fled.

Half-an-hour later, they went to the nearby Pizza Perfect shop with their coats pulled over their faces, but one of them was recognised by staff.

By now armed with a baseball bat, they were given about £40 after they threatened a counter assistant, but another employee emerged from the rear of the premises and grabbed one of them.

His accomplice tried to free him and dropped the bat, which was picked up by the other shop assistant.

The two members of staff managed to detain one of them until police arrived.

The other ran off and dropped the money as he fled.

Mr Gittins said the other youth was arrested a few days later.

Barristers for the youths said both had troubled backgrounds, but that neither could remember much of the incidents because of the drink and tablets they had consumed.

Euan Duff, in mitigation, said: "It was half-an-hour of drink and drug-infused madness."

Both youths, now aged 17, admitted robbery and attempted robbery.

Recorder Ian Atherton imposed 12-month community rehabilitation orders, during which both will undergo intensive supervision by the probation service.