Rampaging brothers tried to rob driving instructor's car during lesson in Sunderland after stealing vodka and vapes from garage

Stephen and John McCabe had already left a trail of terrified victims during a shocking 24-hour crime "rampage" when they targeted the vehicle in Sunderland on April 4.

Newcastle Crown Court heard in the hours before the siblings had smashed their way into a petrol station shop to steal vodka and vapes and left the lone worker terrified.

Stephen McCabe then bit a chunk of a man's ear off and posted a picture of the severed flesh on Facebook.

The brothers had then smashed double glazed windows at a city centre hostel, after shouting abuse.

They then attacked three police officers who tried to arrest them.

Prosecutor Neil Pallister told the court what happened that day was a "crime spree" by the two "highly intoxicated" brothers.

Mr Pallister said the offending started at around half past midnight when the siblings went to a Jet Garage in Gateshead and kicked their way in through the glass of the locked main door, causing £2,000 damage.

The lone worker was warned he would be killed and was forced to take refuge in a back office before the men made off with vodka and vapes worth up to £120.

The court heard the pair then went to a drinking session at their sister's home, with another man.

Mr Pallister said Stephen McCabe then attacked the man without warning and told the court: "He began biting the complainant's ear.

"He described the pain as excruciating and said Stephen McCabe was growling and pulling back and shaking his head. It felt like he was trying to bite his off his ear and indeed the defendant did bite off a piece of the ear and spat it out onto the floor."

The court heard the man was then hit over the head with a Budweiser bottle before John McCabe stepped in and got between his brother and the victim, who he told to leave.

After the attack, which left the victim traumatised, Stephen McCabe took a picture of the severed flesh, which was 3cm by 1cm big and sent it to others on Facebook, bragging "took his ear off, don't f*** about with me".

The court heard by 4pm that same day the brothers had travelled to Swan Lodge in Sunderland and were shouting abuse at passers-by.

When they were asked to leave they smashed two double glazed windows, causing £700 damage.

Five minutes later, the brothers were seen at the roadside by a driving instructor.

Mr Pallister said: "The instructor had picked up a pupil for a driving lesson.

"As she drove down they saw both defendants standing in the middle of the road, holding beer bottles.

"The instructor told the pupil to hold back and let them cross. However, as they crossed in front of the car they ended up ether side of the car, at the driver's and front passenger seat.

"The defendants then pulled open both doors of the car. Stephen McCabe at the passenger side and John McCabe at the driver's door.

"John McCabe shouted to the pupil 'where's the f***** key, I will f***** stab you'. Stephen McCabe was shouting 'get out of the f***** car or I will kill you'

"The instructor recalls John McCabe grabbing the pupil and him having to hold on to her to stop her being pulled out of the car, while also trying to fend off Stephen McCabe, who was grabbing at him and trying to pull him out.

"As John McCabe was trying to grab the pupil, she heard him shout 'where's the knife' and at that point she thought she was going to get stabbed and was terrified.

"At that point she saw a stanley knife in his right hand and he pointed the knife at her and said 'get out of the car or I will stab you', he was shouting 'I don't want to stab you but I will if you don't get out'.

"He started to count down from 10. She thought she was going to be stabbed."

The court heard as John McCabe grabbed at the pupil's student ID it set off her rape alarm and the instructor started sounding the car's horn to help attract attention.

The brothers then threw their beer bottles through the car windscreen and ran off.

The pupil said in an impact statement: "I really thought he was going to stab me."

The court heard the instructor was so badly affected by what happened, and the £2,000 damage that was caused to his car, that he has considered ending his career.

Stephen McCabe, 36, of High Street East, Sunderland, admitted burglary, unlawful wounding, two charges of criminal damage, attempted robbery and assault on emergency workers.

He has been jailed for six years.

John McCabe, 35, of Barford Court, Gateshead, admitted burglary, two charges of criminal damage, attempted robbery, having a bladed article and assault on emergency workers.

He has been jailed for four years and four months.

Tony Cornberg, defending Stephen McCabe, said: "It was rightly described as a spree, a rampage of sorts, all happening on the same day.

"He has shown remorse and identifies the harm he has caused. He feels disgust and shame."

John Crawford, defending John McCabe, said: "He feels disgusted by his behaviour. He is ashamed."

The court heard both brothers have completed courses and are doing well in custody.