Two brothers have been jailed for their “violent, bullying aggression”, trying to break into another man’s home in the early hours in a row over allegedly sub-standard laminate flooring.

Michael and Robert Alderson, who were both heavily intoxicated, turned up outside the victim’s supported accommodation premises, in Ferryhill, seeking entry at about 1am on December 21, last year.

Durham Crown Court heard that Michael Alderson had been seeking a refund from the victim who supplied him with laminate flooring for £140 which the defendant felt was of poor quality.

They tried to force a communal front door and were verbally aggressive to a neighbour who emerged wondering what the commotion was about.

Read more: Ferryhill brothers to be sentenced for burglary at home in the town

Jane Foley, prosecuting, said there was a suggestion that one of the brothers tried to head butt the neighbour.

Miss Foley said the Aldersons were behaving in a “clearly intimidatory” manner and were both heard and seen, from his window, by the man subject of the threatening behaviour, who was in his upstairs accommodation with his eight-month pregnant partner.

One of the Aldersons was heard telling his brother they should make sure they did not leave any fingerprints.

She said they managed to prise open the front door and Robert Alderson then went up to the complainant’s room and attempted to force open the door.

Each time he tried to open it, in the householder managed to slam it shut, fearing what may happen if the intruder gained entry.

Miss Foley said as the Aldersons left they could be heard saying they would burn down the premises.

The victim’s partner rang 999 to report it to the police.

On arrival officers noted the damage, described as “extensive”, to the outer door and less so to the inner door.

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The intended victim in the case said both he and his heavily pregnant partner were “traumatised” by events that night which left them frightened living at the property in case of further incidents.

Both Michael Alderson, 34, of Lime Road, Ferryhill, and his 30-year-old brother, of Gainsborough in Lincolnshire, admitted burglary with intent to inflict grievous bodily harm at a previous hearing.

The court heard neither has any previous conviction.

Stephen Hamill, for Michael Alderson, said his role was limited to outside the property as he did not cross the threshold of the house, and, due to the amount of drink he had consumed, he could not recall what he had said at the time.

Mr Hamill said his client, a former serviceman, “recoiled” on seeing cctv reflecting his behaviour that evening, which he said was clearly out of character.

He added that prison sentence would cause difficulty for the defendant’s business, in which he employs his brother on a part-time basis.

Paul Rooney, for Robert Alderson, said he had not been involved in any of the previous dealings with the man who sold the flooring to his brother.

He said his client had been visiting his brother and both had drunk excessively on the night leading up to the incident, and, like his sibling, had little memory of what took place or what was said.

Judge Jo Kidd said whatever the background in the dispute over the flooring, both men behaved, “in an aggressive, bullying and violent manner”.

She said there appeared to have been “some degree of planning” and “serious violence” was threatened having an understandable impact on the couple living in that flat.

Judge Kidd imposed prison sentences of 27 months on both defendants and said it would have been three years each if they had not pleaded guilty.

Read next:

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                Man threw half-brick at partner as he left County Durham home

                Burglar took keys to family's Audi car at County Durham home

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