TWO career criminals who were locked up for an orgy of violence and threats were told by a judge: "You've both cost this country a fortune."

Ben Blain was jailed for six years for a knife crime in which his victim's hand was sliced to the bone during an attack in her County Durham home.

Adam Richardson got three-and-a-half years for assault, attempted robbery, dangerous driving, witness intimidation and having an offensive weapon.

Teesside Crown Court heard how the friends, both aged 28, have lengthy criminal records for burglary, violence, public disorder, theft and drugs.

Angry judge Sean Morris told the pair yesterday: "It is quite apparent from your records that around the area where you live, you two are a menace.

"You have both cost this country a fortune in legal fees defending you and representing you for violence, dishonesty and that kind of offending.

"The courts spent yet more money giving you supervision and various other kinds of disposals that have not worked.

"I often wonder if criminals ever reflect on just how much money they cost the taxpayer - money that can be spent on children who need operations, old people who need looking after.

"Instead, the country bleeds its money on people like you. I don't suppose you have reflected on it once.

"Any way, that's not what you are here to be punished for - you are her to be punished for a catalogue of offences.

During the knife attack, a terrified woman in the house jumped from an upstairs window to escape from Blain, and shattered bones in her leg and wrist.

Police found 15 cannabis plants when they searched Richardson's home after he was arrested for a high-speed chase through Horden in East Durham.

Prosecutor Paul Reid told the court that the driver only pulled over in the the Volkswagen Bora when two of its tyres started to deflate.

Blain, of Hill View Grove, Easington Colliery, admitted aggravated burglary, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, witness intimidation and attempted robbery.

Jane Waugh, mitigating, said the former scaffolder's six-year-old son would suffer throughout his prison sentence, and told how his partner had died after an overdose of ibuprofen.

"He was not the lead person in these offences. He is a follower. He is somebody who goes along with the crowd," said Miss Waugh.

Richardson, of Hazel Terrace, in nearby Shotton Colliery, admitted two charges of witness intimidation, assault occasioning actual bodily harm, attempted robbery, dangerous driving and being concerned in the production of Class B drugs.

His lawyer Andrew Teate said he suffered "life-changing" injuries in an accident which left his leg shattered and him needing 17 operations in six years.