TWO people who took part in “a group invasion” at a vulnerable young woman’s home at night have been jailed for sentences totalling more than eight years.

Clare Louise Shaw and Gary John Rogers were among four people who forced their way in after kicking a rear door at the property, in Howden-le-Wear, near Crook, on August 31.

Durham Crown Court that the householder, a woman in her 20s, who was alone in bed watching television, heard footsteps coming up the stairs and tried to hide under the sheets.

But, Chris Baker, prosecuting, said the intruders burst into her bedroom and attacked her, repeatedly striking her about the face, head and body, before removing the television, perfume, two jackets and cigarettes, plus the victim’s mobile phone to prevent her calling police.

She was told not to report it, or her throat would be slit, and it was only days later when her mother saw her with black eyes and bruising to her lower back and arms that it was reported.

The court heard the victim, a vulnerable woman with drug issues, who was “terrified” at the ordeal, has subsequently died, although not from the injuries suffered in the attack.

When arrested, Shaw denied involvement, saying she was only released from prison a week earlier and would have been, “off her head with drugs” at the time.

Rogers said the others had all been at his home, but claimed he did not join them when they left the house.

Shaw, 35, of Woodside, Witton Park, and Rogers, 38, of Jubilee Street, Toronto, both near Bishop Auckland, plus two female co-accused, each denied burglary and assault by beating, and a trial was to be staged at the court, in February.

But, Shaw pleaded guilty several weeks before the scheduled hearing and Rogers changed his pleas on the day of trial.

Ian West, for Shaw, said just because she was first to admit her involvement does not indicate that she was a “ringleader”, adding that she had, “no personal animosity” with the victim.

Christopher McKee, for Rogers, said he did not involve himself in any striking of the victim.

Jailing Rogers for 54 months and Shaw for 45 months, Judge Christopher Prince said it was a pre-meditated “group invasion” of the vulnerable victim’s home.

He issued a bench warrant for the arrest of co-accused, Joanne Wilson, 36, of Jubilee Street, Bishop Auckland, who failed to appear for Friday’s sentencing hearing, while a trial of issue will take place in the case of 43-year-old Carmel Moore, of Durham Street, Bishop Auckland, over her basis of plea.

She was remanded in custody until that hearing.