TWO teenagers have been sentenced following an armed burglary in which a woman was hit in the head with a hammer.

The terrifying incident happened on Prospect Road, in Northallerton in the early hours of December 13.

The 33 year-old resident, who was at home with her children, had opened her front door after hearing a knock to find no-one there.

The family’s dog ran outside and down an alley next to the house, and was followed by the victim who was then hit on the head by a hammer.

She was followed back into her house by the attacker and was joined by another male armed with a knife and screwdriver.

The victim shouted to her son to call police whilst one of the teens was shouting for money, drugs or “anything”.

Both males, who were wearing all black and had their faces covered, fled the scene, taking the victim’s coat with them.

Officers arrived within minutes and soon found the suspects.

One was carrying a rucksack containing a hammer, a kitchen knife, a white mask and the victim’s jacket.

Both the teenagers were arrested.

A police dog later found a kitchen knife, which had been thrown into a nearby garden by one of the boys.

After pleading guilty to aggravated burglary, the two teens, who cannot be identified for legal reasons, were sentenced at Teesside Crown Court on March 13.

One, aged 15, was given a three year detention order and the other, a 16-year-old, was given a two year detention and training order.

Investigating Officer DC Karen Barugh of North Yorkshire Police’s CID for Hambleton and Richmond said:

“Two teens have been jailed for their roles in an aggravated burglary, where they targeted a mother in her own home whilst her young children were sleeping.

“This was a truly horrifying ordeal for both the victim and her 16 year-old son who woke up to discover his mother covered in blood and being chased into their home by two masked males.

“I would like to praise the family for their bravery throughout the investigation and also praise my colleagues who responded on the night and whose actions were instrumental in our initial response, and the investigation that followed.

“We will continue to tackle burglaries and violent crime across the county and bring to justice those involved in this type of criminality.”