DRUG addicts who ransacked a shop till were filmed on the in-store CCTV system which was shown in court today.

Two men and a woman arrived together at 7pm at the Costcutter shop in Duke Street, Hartlepool, prosecutor Adrian Mullarkey told Teesside Crown Court.

Anthony Holtom, 28, walked to the back of the shop, picked up an item and asked the assistant how much it was.

His accomplice Andrew Tobin, 26, who was standing at the door then grabbed the till which was fixed to the counter, scattering cash about.

The assistant, Selliah Rajhsekaram, tackled him and they fell to the floor where Tobin punched him twice in the face.

Tobin's girlfriend Toni Osborne, 20, entered the shop and she tried to pull Mr Rajhsekaram off him.

Tobin and Holtom grabbed £220 and the three of them left the shop. Later a knife was found on the floor with Tobin's fingerprints.

Holtom told police that he went in with the intention of shoplifting, but said that he knew nothing about the knife in the raid on October 7.

Stephen Constantine, defending, said that Holtom's motivation was to obtain money to buy cocaine.

He had been out of prison only a few days, and in October he was remanded in custody again.

Paul Cleasby, defending Tobin, said that while he was on prison remand he had qualified as a gym instructor, and he was keen to be released with help and guidance.

Martina Connolly, defending Osborne, said: "This in essence was shoplifting that went wrong, and her involvement was to go to the asistance of her partner Tobin when he was on the floor struggling with the complainant.

"She clearly has aspirations to move her life forward, and she is doing well on a methadone drug reduction programme."

Judge George Moorhouse said: "I have no hesitation in saying that this kind of offence is so serious as to justify a custodial sentence."

Tobin of Sherriff Street, Hartlepool, and Holtom of Challenor Road, Hartlepool, were both given a 12 months jail sentence suspended for two years with 18 months supervision after they pleaded guilty to common assault and theft.

Osborne of Derwent Street, Hartlepool, was given a 12 months community order with supervision after she admitted common assault.