TWO men are facing possible prison sentences after admitting carrying out a robbery in which £41 was taken from the victim.

Adam Hayward Bell, 20, and 22-year-old Paul Bell, who are unrelated, both pleaded ‘guilty’ to a charge of robbery when they appeared at Durham Crown Court today (Tuesday May 21).

They both deny further charges of burglary, at an address in Acorn Close, Sacriston, near Chester-le-Street, and theft of a Ford Transit van, worth £6,000, taken from outside the house.

All the alleged offences took place on Sunday December 16, last year.

Rebecca Brown, prosecuting, said “in due course” the burglary and theft charges would be “left on the file” by the Crown.

Both Don MacFaul, representing Adam Bell, and Jane Waugh, for Paul Bell, asked for preparation of pre-sentence reports on the pair by the Probation Service.

Recorder Amanda Rippon agreed and told the Bells: “Be under no illusions, the likely outcome is custody.

“But I will read the reports about you and come to the case with an open mind.”

Both Adam Bell, of Ironside Street, Houghton-le-Spring, and Paul Bell, who was listed as ‘care-of HMP (Her Majesty’s Prison) Durham’, but formerly of Elliott Street, in Sacriston, were remanded in custody to return for sentence on June 19.