A couple were robbed in their own home in the dead of night by attackers who stole their safe.
The victims were woken by a loud bang and when the man went to investigate he was assaulted and forced to open the safe, which contained cash and bank cards. Harry Allen admitted carrying out the robbery while the charge was "left to lie on file" against Wayne Froud, 38, as it was deemed not in the public interest to pursue it given he is now serving life for murder.
It was around 2am on November 15 2019 that the couple were woken by a loud bang in their home in Houghton-le-Spring. Nicoleta Alistari, prosecuting, told Newcastle Crown Court: "The man got up and was pushed back by the two defendants, who were threatening and demanding money.
