A FATHER and son were locked up for a total of 15 years after a court heard how they robbed an old soldier in his isolated home.

The 81-year-old widower, was considered an easy target by Robert and son Darren Emery, who were looking for money for heroin.

Having pinpointed the property the previous day they slept in their car and called at the house, near Cornsay Colliery, at 7.30am on a Saturday in May.

On opening the door the householder was knocked backwards by the duo, who were shouting 'where's the money?'.

Durham Crown Court heard the victim was pushed over and forced into the kitchen.

Shaun Dodds, prosecuting, said he was forced onto a chair and punched repeatedly while one of the pair told the other to strike him round the legs with a poker.

Mr Dodds said although the poker was brandished it does not appear to have been used, but it had the desired effect.

"Fearing more violence the man agreed to give them some money."

Both grabbed bundles of around £100 each and then fled the house in a maroon car also containing Robert Emery's partner, Beverly Rayner. Part of the wheel trim was left at the scene and this plus fingerprint evidence led to the arrest of all three, who were living on Hartlepool's Ashvale Caravan Park.

Mr Dodds said he suffered a broken bone to the back of his hand, plus other cuts and bruises, and was left feeling very vulnerable in his own home.

Defence barristers said both defendants were genuinely remorseful for putting the man through the traumatic ordeal.

Both Robert, 41, and Darren, 19, admitted robbery and assault causing actual bodily harm. Robert also admitted a further robbery. He was jailed for a total of ten years, seven for the Cornsay Colliery incident, while Darren was sent to a young offenders' institution for five years. Rayner, 32, who admitted handling some of the stolen money, was jailed for a year.