UNDERCOVER police lay in wait in a back room at a village fish and chip shop after regular reports of late night disorder, a court heard.

Within 40 minutes of the two officers taking up position, at M & M Fisheries, in North Guards, Whitburn, near Sunderland, they were called into action, late on a Sunday night, last October.

Durham Crown Court was told a group of at least four, mostly young, men came into the shop and were abusive to the two female staff, making suggestive remarks about the battered sausages and derogatory comments about the food on offer and the prices.

One of the officers came to the counter and told them to leave, but he was immediately set on, and "battered", prosecuting barrister Tim Gittins told a previous hearing.

Both the assistant and fryer made statements claiming the officer was knocked to the ground, kicked and punched.

The officer's colleague came to his aid and also became embroiled in the violence.

A CS gas spray was eventually let off before some of those involved made off, leaving the officers cut and bruised.

Two of those involved, Chris Miller, 20, and 21-year-old Ritchie Colwell, gave themselves up and pleaded guilty to affray at a previous hearing.

Returning for sentence yesterday, Judge Denis Orde told them he "strongly suspected" their involvement was more than just scuffling.

Both Miller, an apprentice engineer, of Fulmer Walk, and Colwell, a trainee HGV driver, of Wellands Farm, Wellands Lane, both Whitburn, were given two years' probation with 100 hours' community service.

They were each ordered to pay £300 compensation to the most badly injured officer.

A 40-year-old man, who denied affray at an earlier hearing, was cleared after a witness refused to give evidence.