A PAIR of burglars who targeted a social club to help themselves to drink have been jailed for sentences totalling seven years.

Durham Crown Court heard that although there was no confrontation in the overnight break-in at Peterlee Catholic Club, one of the intruders was carrying an imitation firearm.

John David Malcolm armed himself with what appeared to be a pistol when he was recruited by Ricky Burdess to assist with the burglary.

Paul Abrahams, prosecuting, said they gained entry by removing a small exterior window near the smoking area of the premises, in Grampian Way.

Mr Abrahams told the court that witnesses described overhearing noises in the early hours of Sunday, June 22.

“One man was seen to be carrying a pistol and another man was spotted leaving the premises carrying a large amount of drink.”

Mr Abrahams said external closed circuit television cameras at the club were fitted with night vision, which helped police to identify Malcolm as one of the participants.

When his house was subsequently search, officers recovered four imitation firearms, including a rifle.

Mr Abrahams said it was, therefore, assumed that the firearm carried by Malcolm during the burglary may have been among the others found at his house.

Although Malcolm initially denied being involved in the break-in he conceded he had been in Peterlee that night and said he bought “a gas gun” for £60.

Malcolm, 31, of Judd Place, Peterlee, admitted aggravated burglary.

Accomplice 24-year-old Burdess, of Pentland Place, Peterlee, admitted burglary, but denied aggravated burglary.

But, following a recent trial at the court, he was convicted of aggravated burglary.

The court heard that as a joint enterprise, the pair were considered to have been in “joint possession” of the firearm.

Martin Scarborough, for Burdess, and Graeme Gaston, for Malcolm, said the club was unoccupied at the time, and "only a relatively small amount” of alcohol was plundered.

Mr Scarborough claimed Burdess played the lesser role, while Mr Gaston said Malcolm has remained out of trouble for a number of years, and has only two previous convictions.

Jailing Burdess for four years and Malcolm for three, Judge Robert Adams said although there was unlikely to have been a confrontation, it was, “always a risk”.

“That would have been terrifying for that person. It’s that aspect which makes this case so serious,” he said.

The judge also ordered confiscation and destruction of two of the imitation pistols recovered from Malcolm’s home.