A JUDGE has warned warring factions in a North-East market town that the trouble must stop - or they will go to jail.

Judge Peter Armstrong spoke out after dealing with a case involving violence in Stanhope, County Durham.

Teenager John Newby was chased across the Market Place on July 28, last year, by Kelvin Rowley, 30, who jumped from a car with a piece of metal in his hand saying: "I'm going to kill you."

Newby, 18, fled into a Chinese take-away and jumped over the counter to escape Rowley, who struck him on the left shoulder with the piece of metal.

Rowley continued to shout, "I'm going to kill you, come outside", but he was prevented from reaching Newby by a woman assistant.

Later, the fathers of Newby and a friend went to Rowley's home banging on the door and trying to kick it open, said Robin Turton, prosecuting, at Teesside Crown Court.

A witness heard an air weapon was discharged and the two men retreated.

Andrew Barron, 21, who had been inside the house then stood on the garden wall swinging a golf club, and an unknown male fired an air rifle hitting David Reay, 49, in the back.

Rowley was handing what looked to be air pellets to the gunman, Teesside Crown Court was told.

Rowley later admitted chasing John Newby because there had been an attack on a friend and he wanted to warn him off.

Rowley of Paragon Court, Stanhope, who pleaded guilty to affray and common assault on Newby was ordered to do 170 hours community punishment and to pay £300 compensation and £200 costs.

Barron, of Ashcroft, Stanhope, was ordered to do 150 hours community service and to pay £100 compensation and £200 costs after he pleaded guilty to affray.

Christopher Baker, for Rowley, said his client admitted he should have been more level-headed, but he stood up for a friend who had received head injuries in a fight earlier.

Shaun Dryden, for Barron, said there had been a further incident in January when he was attacked with a glass in a pub, but there had been no trouble since.

Judge Armstrong told the pair: "It's time this trouble in Stanhope came to an end and if you fail to carry out the orders that I make today you will be going to prison."