THREE men today (Monday, July 13) appeared before magistrates charged with robbery after a 91-year-old man was the alleged victim of a car-jacking.

The pensioner had driven onto the driveway of his home in Eden View, Shotton Colliery, County Durham, when he was allegedly forced of his blue Renault Clio, magistrates were told.

Two other men are also alleged to have jumped into the car before it was driven away shortly before 9pm on Friday night.

Mark Dunn, 26, of Grange Court, Gary Hancock, 26, of Victoria Street and Dean Thubron, 19, of Bradling Court, all of Shotton Colliery, appeared at Peterlee Magistrates' Court.

They are jointly charged with robbery.

Dunn faces further charges of driving with excess alcohol and dangerous driving, while Hancock is also accused of common assault.

The men spoke only to confirm their addresses.

Magistrates remanded the three men in custody to appear in Durham Crown Court on July 27.

The alleged victim suffered a cut to one of his arms and was assessed by paramedics at his home but did not require hospital treatment.

The three men will remain in custody until their court appearance.

Anyone with information about the incident is asked to contact Durham Constabulary on 101.