TWO men who were rejected for a police identity parade robbed one of those who took part in the line-up, Teesside Crown Court heard yesterday.

Darren Hopwood, 21, of East Bank, Ormesby, Middlesbrough, and Lee Tranter, 28, of Kings House, Central Mews, Middlesbrough, appeared for sentence on a charge of robbery.

Tranter, who had been found guilty of the robbery charge at an earlier trial, pleaded guilty to two further offences of theft, two of failing to surrender and one of possessing cannabis.

David Brooke, prosecuting, told the court how late last year the two men had gone to a local police station to offer their services for an identity parade.

Hopwood and Tranter had their offer turned down, but a third man was accepted.

Mr Brooke said the two defendants had later seen the successful candidate at a bus stop.

The pair had approached him and while Hopwood grabbed the man, Tranter robbed him of the £10 he had earned from taking part in the parade.

Defence counsel Nigel Soppitt said Hopwood had taken the money to buy drugs, but since the offence had voluntarily taken part in a treatment programme.

Mr Soppitt said Hopwood was remorseful for his actions and had successfully shaken off a drugs habit.

For Tranter, Paul Cleasby said that while his client expected a custodial sentence, he and his girlfriend now had a daughter and he was looking forward to being reunited with his family.

Judge Les Spittle told both men the robbery had been a despicable and mean offence and he warned them that the court would not tolerate such violence on the streets.

Judge Spittle sentenced Hopwood to 18 months in prison, giving him credit for admitting the offence, and Tranter was sentenced to a total of two years and six months.