A MAN accused by three others of being a burglar was taken prisoner and beaten, a court heard yesterday.

John Beddow, 18, of Talbot Street, and Jason Glanville. 29, of Albert Terrace, both Middlesbrough, admitted false imprisonment and wounding of Andrew Bland, 18, last December 20. Anthony Greenman, 32, of Talbot Street, Middlesbrough, admitted assault causing actual bodily harm.

Graham Gaston, prosecuting, said Beddow and Glanville forced their way into Mr Bland's flat and demanded to know who had burgled Greenman's home.

Mr Bland said he did not know and offered to take them to a friend who might have more information, but when they left the flat, Beddow began punching him, Mr Gaston said.

They frogmarched him to Mr Greenman's house and made him sit in a chair. They still demanded to know who had burgled the house. He was punched on the nose and then Beddow hit him with a hammer, saying: "This is what I do to people who burgle houses".

Greenman punched Mr Bland on the arm.

When he was taken to hospital, Mr Bland was found to have swelling to the brain and injuries which were "potentially fatal".

Beddow was jailed for four years, Glanville for four years and Greenman for nine months.