TWO men, one armed with an empty bottle, forced their way into “the wrong flat”, seeking someone they had clashed with earlier over a drink, a court heard.

Drew John and an unknown accomplice were heard banging loudly on the outer door of a block of flats, in Framwellgate Moor, Durham, at 1.30am on Sunday, June 14.

Durham Crown Court heard that a vulnerable resident, who due to ill health was being assisted by a care, plus her boyfriend, became fearful, particularly when banging was heard on an internal door within the complex.

Martin Towers, prosecuting, said the defendant, who was holding a glass bottles by the neck, then entered the flat with the second man.

Mr Towers said when they were challenged by one of those present, John’s accomplice said: “Sorry, wrong people.”

Both he and the defendant then walked out, but police were quickly summoned.

John was arrested shortly afterwards, when officers found him hiding behind a skip, and he was identified by a witness from the flat.

Mr Towers told the court: “According to the arresting officer, he appeared very drunk.”

An estimated £160 worth of damage was caused to the door at the Front Street premises.

The resident at the flat stated that he had only just moved to the Durham area, and, as a result of the incident, was left distressed and, “too petrified” to leave the complex or even look out of the window.

He was baffled why the pair would have targeted his flat.

Mr Towers added that the second man who entered the premises has not been identified.

Twenty-nine-year-old John, of North Terrace, Framwellgate Moor, admitted a charge of affray.

Christopher McKie, mitigating, presented character testimonials on behalf of the defendant to the court.

He told the court the defendant has remained in custody for almost six weeks since his arrest.

Mr McKie said: “He has spent a not insignificant time in custody and, he tells me, it’s not something he wants to repeat.

“It seems to have stemmed from an argument over an alcoholic drink.”

Judge Simon Hickey told him: “You became involved in an escapade you shouldn’t have done.

“Together with a man who has not been found, you broke into a completely innocent man’s home, threatening with a glass bottle, before realising you were at the wrong address and apologising.”

He imposed a six-month prison sentence, suspended for a year, with a 20-day rehabilitation activity requirement to address his drinking.

John was also ordered to pay £160 compensation to the victim and court costs totalling £980.

He was also made subject of a three-year restraining order forbidding contact with the resident whose flat he wrongly entered.