A MAN returned mob-handed after being refused a bottle of wine from a local bootleg salesman, a court was told.

Michael Peter Lambert called at the home of a couple known to sell duty-free cigarettes and alcohol, in Brandon, near Durham, asking to buy a bottle of wine, at 10.15am on Sunday June 8.

Durham Crown Court heard that when he was refused, Lambert left, shouting: “Well, I’m going to come back and take the lot.”

Richard Bennett, prosecuting, said the quarter-of-an-hour later the couple heard banging at the front door.

The female resident was confronted in the passage by Lambert and three accomplices, who barged in armed with makeshift weapons, including a plank of wood and a spirit level.

A fishing reel was thrown in her partner’s direction

Mr Bennett said all four intruders, who were known to the couple, tried to move the woman, but she steadfastly clung on to the handle of the closed kitchen door, as her partner sought refuge.

The determined woman only released her grip when she was struck with the spirit level, causing her to lose feeling in her arm.

Mr Bennett said in the commotion one of the group, Brad John Traynor, was bitten by the couple’s dog and also suffered a cut to the arm, inflicted with a knife by the male resident as he tried to prevent him getting through the kitchen door.

The quartet left having grabbed a dozen bottles of wine, warning the couple not to contact police, or, "it will be worse”.

Following a short delay, they did report it, and the four men were arrested nearby.

Lambert, 30, of Redwood Flats, 23-year-old Traynor, of Victoria Avenue, both Brandon, and Thomas Neville Langley, 24, of South View, in nearby Meadowfield, each admitted causing an affray and theft of the wine.

Defence barristers pointed out that Traynor and Lambert have remained in custody since their arrest, in June, while Langley has been on an overnight home curfew.

Judge Robert Adams said their “mob-handed” entry to the flat must have been “terrifying” for the couple present.

He imposed 16 month prison sentences on all three, in each case suspended for 18 months.

Lambert was also ordered to perform 40 hours’ unpaid work, while Langley must carry out 200 hours’ work for the community.

A bench warrant remains in place for the arrest of co-accused Liam Moore, 20, of Highfield Terrace, Ushaw Moor, following his failure to attend an earlier hearing.