THREE men have today (Monday, July 27) appeared at Durham Crown Court accused of robbery after an alleged car-jacking from a 91-year-old man.

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

Two other men are also alleged to have jumped into the car before it was driven away shortly before 9pm on Friday, July 10.

The court was told the car crashed following a police crash.

Mark Dunn, 26, of Grange Court, Gary Hancock, 26, of Victoria Street and Dean Thubron, 19, of Bradling Court, all of Shotton Colliery, appeared via a video link.

All three pleaded not guilty to a charge of robbery.

Dunn pleaded guilty to dangerous driving, in Wingate and Shotton Colliery, while Hancock denied a charge of common assault, for allegedly spitting at a policeman.

The three men were remanded in custody pending a trial scheduled to begin on December 3.

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.