TWO men who attempted to steal lead were caught after returning to the scene minutes later, a court heard.

Charalambos Constantinou and James Sinclairwere traced after witnesses wrote down their car's registration number at the site of their attempted burglary.

Constantinou, 20, of Temple Buildings, Middleton St George, and Sinclair, 18, of Haughton Road, Darlington, pleaded not guilty to attempted theft but were convicted after a trial. They returned to Darlington Magistrates' Court yesterday to be sentenced.

The court heard the pair had tried to steal lead from a canopy roof in Hurworth, but were disturbed by the owner.

Peter Bradford, mitigating for Constantinou, said his client's father ran four fast food restaurants in Middlesbrough and he had been due to run one of them. He added Constantinou was ashamed to have brought shame on the family name.

He added: "The impact of these proceedings is a significant punishment in itself."

John Clish, mitigating for Sinclair, said his client had done a joinery course at Darlington College, had previously worked for Darlington Borough Council but been unemployed for 12 months.

He added: "He is now trying to turn his life around."

Chairman of the bench Patrick Langdon said: "There was no damage nor loss to anyone. Because it was an unplanned and unsophisticated affair, we feel that a conditional discharge will keep you out of mischief."

Magistrates gave them a 12-month conditional charge and ordered them to pay £100 each towards costs.