TWO men who took the law into their own hands to drive out two women they suspected of being heroin users were locked up for 12 months.

Stephen Whitfield, 20, and Anthony Short, 19, were among a group of men who terrified two young women living in Fishburn, County Durham, Teesside Crown Court was told.

Chris Williamson, prosecuting, said that on Sunday, April 7, this year, the women were in the village when they were shouted at by a group of youths and accused of being heroin addicts.

The girls said the gang had mixed them up with neighbours, but the men threatened to smash their windows.

At 10.15pm that night the women were in their flat when they heard the front door being tried and people kicking the back door.

Terrified, they escaped out of the front door but their home was broken into by the group and damage caused to possessions.

Short, of Sycamore Road, Fishburn, and Whitfield, of Lilac Avenue, Sedgefield, also County Durham, admitted burglary with intent to cause damage and told police they had gone round because the girls were "smackheads" and they wanted them to leave Fishburn.

Greg Purcell, for Whitfield, said his client had developed a problem with social drinking but was seeking help.

Aisha Wadoodi, for Short, said her client was likeable, honest, hard-working and with good career prospects.

Recorder Paul Issacs, who said it was a serious crime, sentenced them to 12 months in a young offenders' institution