TWO youths repeatedly put out house windows in a vendetta against a former friend, a court heard.

Ryan Pounder, 22, and eighteen-year-old Adam Kevin Johnson smashed windows at the home the victim shared with his partner in Seaham, County Durham, three times in under a month.

Durham Crown Court was told both were arrested and bailed after the initial incident, on November 16, when a front door window was broken at the property, in Watling Avenue.

The couple living there were in bed when they heard the sound of a window smashing, on the night of December 6.

Chris Baker, prosecuting, said both Pounder and Johnson were seen among a group fleeing the scene, dropping a brick as they left.

Eight days later the female householder heard the sound of the kitchen window breaking, at 1.30am, and again Pounder and Johnson were seen leaving the area.

Mr Baker said the house is owned by East Durham Homes, which has stood the repair costs.

Both Pounder and Johnson were subsequently re-arrested and initially denied involvement in the offences.

Mr Baker said Pounder claimed the victim was making up the allegation as he had a grudge against him.

He said one of the pair also claimed they knew the male victim as they bought drugs from him.

Mr Baker said the female householder was scared by the incidents and did not want to return home, while her partner said he had been evicted as a result.

Both Pounder, of The Avenue, Seaham, and Johnson, of Arbroath Road, Farringdon, Sunderland, admitted damaging property and a charge under the harassment act.

Nicholas Lane, for Pounder, said both defendants have been in custody since Christmas Eve, while Lewis Kerr, for Johnson, described it as, “a feud between friends”.

Imposing custodial sentences of three months on both, Judge Robert Adams said: “There appears to have been a background of a feud between friends leading to these incidents of damage.”

The sentences imposed meant both were expected to be released later in the day, due to time spent in custody.

Each must also pay £80 statutory surcharge.