Two armed men who tried to rob the passengers of a car in South Shields are jailed

David Burn and Adam Reay hid behind a transit van while a female flagged down the blue Ford Focus in Erskine Road, South Shields, on April 22 last year.

Newcastle Crown Court heard when the vehicle came to a halt, Burn, who had a knife and Reay, who was carrying a metal bike seat, pounced.

Prosecutor Shaun Dryden said: "Mr Reay approached the driver's side of the vehicle, opened the driver's door and leaned inside.

"Mr Burn approached the front seat passenger side, while wielding the knife he was holding."

The court heard the front seat passenger left the vehicle and Burn lunged at him with the knife before he got away.

Burn and Reay were identified from video footage which captured the attack.

Mr Dryden said the people in the car did not wish to make statements or assist the prosecution.

Glen Gatland, defending, said: "It is obvious they were known to each other. The car did go there as a  result of a pre-arrangement to supply something."

Reay, 32, of no fixed address, admitted attempted robbery and having an offensive weapon.

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Burn, 41,  Vernon Close, South Shields, admitted attempted robbery and having a bladed article.

Both have previous convictions.

Mr Recorder Shufqat Khan said the car had gone to the area for "some sort of delivery" and told the men: "There was an element of significant planning, the Ford Focus was lured to the scene and both of you were armed."

Burn was sentenced to four years behind bars. Reay was sentenced to 45 months.