TWO men who used violence to forcibly take a computer games console from the owner were told, “custody is inevitable”, in their cases.

It follows guilty pleas tendered by Liam Hodgson and Shaun James Peairs at Durham Crown Court to a joint offence of robbery arising from the incident at a house in Spennymoor, in which they assaulted the owner of the Playstation 4.

Hodgson, 22, of Hilda Close, Durham, also admitted assaulting a police officer and causing criminal damage to a police vehicle, on being arrested.

Both he and 19-year-old Peairs, of Van Mildert Close, Spennymoor, each admitted a joint charge of motor vehicle interference, having tried door handles of cars.

All the offences took place on January 25.

They were each appearing via video link from Holme House Prison, in Stockton, at the plea and trial preparation hearing at the court.

Judge Christopher Prince asked prosecution counsel Laurie Scott about their respective records.

She told the judge that despite their relatively young ages, both have bad records, including offences of violence and dishonesty.

Asked about the nature of the assault, during the robbery, Miss Scott said the victim was kicked several times by both men in his own home, to which Judge Prince said: “That’s serious.”

He said sentencing guidelines suggest a five-year starting point, with a deduction for their ‘guilty’ pleas.

Adjourning, Judge Prince told them: “You will both be sentenced on March 17, and custody is inevitable.”

He remanded both in custody until sentence.