A TEENAGER who took part in an attempted break-in at the home of a couple he thought had come into money has been jailed for six years.

Damian Alan Hadfield was one of two hooded figures who called at the mid-terraced house in Trimdon Colliery, County Durham, on September 17.

Durham Crown Court heard the pair believed the residents had several thousand pounds. The man living there with his girlfriend went to the door, following a knock on the window at about 8.45pm.

He was met by two balaclava-clad figures and tried to push the door shut. But Martin Towers, prosecuting, said he was unable to do so, having been grabbed by the throat.

In the struggle, however, he was able to remove the hood of one of the intruders, Damian Alan Hadfield, who shouted to his sidekick: “Get the knife out.”

As 17-year-old Hadfield continued the struggle, the other man waved round a 6 - 7in-bladed kitchen knife.

The householder grabbed his arm, causing him to drop the knife, which embedded in plaster board, Mr Towers said.

As he went to retrieve the knife, the victim’s girlfriend emerged with their Rottweiler dog.

Both raiders fled but Hadfield was later arrested after his dna was found on a discarded balaclava. His accomplice has never been traced.

The court heard it was part of a spate of offending Hadfield was involved in last year, including a house burglary and three commercial break-ins, all in the Peterlee area.

Twenty-year-old Jason Thomas Kennedy, a co-accused in the three shop burglaries, who also took part in a separate domestic break-in, in Peterlee, appeared at the same court hearing via video link.

Hadfield, of Elgin Road, Hartlepool, admitted aggravated burglary in Trimdon Colliery, plus four other burglaries.

Kennedy, of Eden Street, Horden, admitted five counts of burglary.

Dan Cordey, for Hadfield, said all his offending was last year after a change in family circumstances led to him mixing with “unsuitable” friends.

Penny Bottomley, for Kennedy, said he hopes to “turn his life around” when he comes out of custody.

Hadfield was given a six-year sentence, while Kennedy received a custodial term of three years and 11 months, both starting in a young offenders’ institution.

Judge Simon Hickey said all were serious offences, having a great impact on the victims, whether householders or small business people.