TWO men who robbed the pro shop at Hindhead Golf Club of £8,500 worth of equipment, found themselves bunkered when they were caught fleeing after a police chase, a court heard.

David Chandler, 23, and Sam Smith, 22, and another man who escaped, ripped off the security gates before escaping with 126 golf clubs during the raid. But luck ran out for the pair after the manager, who lives above the property, called police and the car was stopped nearby.

It led to the men appearing before Guildford Crown Court for sentencing last Friday, after they earlier admitted to the burglary.

Hugh Forgan, prosecuting, said, shortly after midnight on April 22, there was a burglary at the pro-shop at Hindhead.

Mr Forgan said: "The manager, who lives above the shop, heard a noise and the security alarm went off. A large window between the golf shop and the car park had been smashed, the security gate had been ripped out and £1,000 worth of damage caused.

"These two defendants, who were driven there, took 126 golf clubs with a retail value of £8,500 and trade value of £5,700.

"This was plainly a professional commercial burglary. Damage to other goods in the shop was £645.

"The car they had taken had come from a car park in Chertsey, where it had been stolen." Mr Forgan said a police car on the A3 was able to follow the car and caught up with it at a farm in Shackleford, with all the golf clubs still inside.

He said both defendants denied everything in relation to the car, but both accepted and admitted they had been the two men carrying out the burglary.

The court heard Chandler, of Prairie Road, Addlestone, had been trouble-free for the past seven years except for one offence of criminal damage 2002.

Smith, of Mead Lane, Chertsey, had previous convictions including burglary in 2002, dangerous driving and, last year, four months in jail for driving matters.

The court heard that two separate pre- sentence reports referred to an opinion of the magistrates that these offences were suitable for a non-custodial sentence.

David Castle, defending both men, said they were both drinking when Mr Smith received a message asking him to help out and Mr Chandler was recruited.

Mr Castle said: "They were picked up by a third individual and taken to the scene. They knew what was going to happen.

"They were stopped leaving the scene of the crime and the third defendant escaped and was not apprehended.

"Both defendants accept responsibility. They got caught and expect to be punished."

Recorder Alexander Layton QC, sentenced Chandler to a community order with a requirement to do 180 hours unpaid work.

Smith was sentenced to 30 weeks imprisonment, but this was suspended for 18 months unless he fails to comply with 240 hours unpaid work.

Both defendants were ordered to pay £115 towards prosecution costs and £800 compensation.