TWO intruders confronted a man in his bedroom demanding money they claimed he owed, a court heard.

Christopher Dickinson and Lee Watkins entered the house in Seventh Avenue, Chester-le-Street, at 1am on Sunday, August 3.

Durham Crown Court was told they went to a bedroom, confronting the 23-year-old householder as he lay in bed with his girlfriend.

Jonathan Walker, prosecuting, said “heated discussions” took place over an alleged outstanding sum of money he was said to owe, before the pair left.

They were watched leaving before police were informed, leading to arrests being made 45 minutes later.

Watkins initially made no comment, but later accepted entering the house via an open door, before arguing with the male occupant over £200 they claimed he stole.

Dickinson, however, denied being there, or knowing the householder.

Mr Walker said the occupant, who told police he no longer felt safe at home, has been on medication since the incident.

Dickinson, 40, of Foster’s Lodge, Annfield Plain, near Stanley, and 29-year-old Watkins, of Seventh Avenue, were initially charged with blackmail.

But after both admitted a further count of affray, the Crown offered no evidence to the blackmail charge.

Jane Foley, for Dickinson, said as with much of his “offending history”, it was alcohol-related, on what she claimed was one of only two occasions he drank last year.

“This was an unpleasant incident in the small hours, but amid slightly unusual circumstances.”

Judge Robert Adams said whatever the background, “it must have been a frightening experience”, for those confronted.

But, he accepted no weapon or violence was used.

He jailed Dickinson for six months, ensuring his almost imminent release, given the time spent in custody since his arrest.

Watkins was bailed to be sentenced by Judge Adams, at Newcastle Crown Court, next month.