TWO men received prison sentences for taking part in an unsuccessful bid to bludgeon their way into an office at a town’s railway station.

But, it was a case of “one in and one out”, after the sentences were imposed on the Darlington duo, at Durham Crown Court, on Friday (February 5).

Liam John Robinson, 22, and 23-year-old Jonathon Andrew Mackenzie were both before the court for sentence, having, at different stages since their arrest, admitted a charge of entering Bishop Auckland Railway Station as trespassers, with others, unknown, with intent to steal, on August 9 last year.

Robinson, of Thorntree Gardens, admitted the charge on his first appearance at magistrates’ court, in August, and has since remained in custody.

But, Mackenzie, of Otterburn Close, who has remained on bail, only pleaded guilty on the day of his scheduled trial, at the court last month.

Shaun Dryden, prosecuting, told the court that nearby residents heard noise from the railway station, at about 11.30pm, on what was a Sunday night, in early August.

They could see torches and men apparently on the track, and rang police.

On arrival at the station, police found sledgehammers at the scene, with evidence of damage to the outside wall of an office where the safe was kept.

Two large holes had been smashed into the wall, with other masonry apparently removed, before the raiders fled, abandoning the sledgehammers.

Mr Dryden said up to three men were thought to have taken part in the raid.

But, following a chase, Robinson and Mackenzie were arrested on nearby Cockton Hill Road, with both appearing out of breath and agitated.

They were identified on CCTV footage from the station and an officer picked them out in an identity procedure.

Louise Harrison, for Robinson, told the court that he pleaded guilty at the earliest opportunity and has remained in custody for more than six months.

Judge Christopher Prince imposed a ten-month prison sentence, which, as only half must be served behind bars, was expected to result in his imminent release from Holme House Prison, in Stockton.

The court heard that the offence put Mackenzie in breach of two short suspended sentences.

Andrew White, mitigating, told the court: “Essentially, he’s a man who works hard, doesn’t claim benefits, but who lets himself down when he’s among a group of fellow idiots.

“That’s the flavour of this burglary.

“It is, however, a step up from his previous offending, taking part in an organised attempt to break into a railway station.”

Judge Prince, who described it as an “unsophisticated” attempt to break into the office, imposed a 12-month sentence on Mackenzie, starting from Friday’s hearing.