FOUR people who took part in a burglary in which a householder was attacked were told to prepare for prison sentences.

The warning was given by Judge Christopher Prince as the final three defendants admitted their roles in the incident, at a house in Howden-le-Wear, near Crook, on August 31, last year.

Durham Crown Court heard that a television set, a mobile phone, perfume, cigarettes and a jacket were taken in the break-in at the premises in the village High Street.

A woman living at the house was said to have been repeatedly punched by the intruders after confronting the quartet.

Clare Louise Shaw, Joanne Wilson, Gary John Rogers and Carmel Moore all denied burglary and assault by beating when they appeared at a plea hearing at the court, last October.

A date was set for the trial, due to start at the court yesterday.

Thirty-five-year-old Shaw, of Forebondgate, Bishop Auckland, changed her pleas to guilty to both counts at a hearing on January 16.

Her sentencing hearing was set to take place on conclusion of the trial of her co-accused.

But, appearing at what was to be the opening day of their trial, Wilson, Rogers and Moore also changed their pleas to guilty to both charges, on the grounds of “joint enterprise”.

Thirty-eight-year-old Rogers, of Jubilee Terrace, Toronto, near Bishop Auckland, was remanded in custody until the sentencing hearing, early next month.

Bailing Wilson, 36, also of Jubilee Terrace, and 43-year-old Moore, of Durham Street, Bishop Auckland, to return for the sentencing hearing, Judge Prince asked for preparation of background reports on the pair, by the Probation Service.

All four defendants will now be sentenced on Friday, March 3.