A thug who beat his victims unconscious, robber and dangerous driver who led officers on a high speed pursuit have been locked up.
Michael John Cronin, of Ladysmith Court in Stanley, appeared at Durham Crown Court following an assault on New Year’s Day.
The 42-year-old beat his two victims and left them locked in a flat after the attack.
Officers were immediately dispatched to force entry to the flat when one of the victims woke up and called 999.
Cronin, who was charged with two counts of assault occasioning actual bodily harm, was given a 21 month prison sentence.
Shaun Maurice Kelsey, of Chapel Terrace in Station Town, received a 12 month prison sentence and was banned from driving for 30 months for a string of driving offences.
The 34-year-old was arrested when he failed to stop for police in June, leading officers on a 100mph pursuit from Shildon to Newton Aycliffe before crashing his vehicle and running away.
Barry Taylor, of Lilac Avenue in Sacriston, was jailed for 80 months for two robberies in Witton Gilbert and Langley Park in May.
Taylor, also 34-years-old, threatened staff with a knife on both occasions, making off with several hundred pounds in cash and a quantity of tobacco.
He pleaded guilty to two counts of robbery and two counts of having an article with a point or blade in a public place.
