TWO thugs who tried to rob a woman before stealing a family car during a terrifying crime spree have been jailed.

Lee Shanley, 33, and Darren Allcock, 27, targeted the lone female who was walking alone near Jarrow Metro Station, in South Tyneside, on December 4 last year.

The pair – whose offending recently featured on BBC One documentary series ‘Our Cops in the North’ - pushed over their terrified victim and tried to grab her handbag.

Minutes later, they stole a car from a nearby driveway in Jarrow and fled.

When arrested later that morning by police, Shanley was wearing a pair of sunglasses that he had taken from the stolen vehicle.

In January, Shanley, of Sandiacres, Jarrow, and Allcock, of Dinsdale Street, Sunderland, admitted attempted robbery, allowing themselves to be carried in a stolen car and damaging property.

Both defendants also pleaded guilty to a charge of burglary, after Shanley had raided a fish bar and Allcock broke into the Caledonian Hotel pub in Hebburn.

On Friday, they were each jailed for three years and nine months following a hearing at Newcastle Crown Court.

Detective Constable Leigh Booth, of Northumbria Police, said: “This was an incredibly serious spate of offending that caused a great deal of upset and distress across the community."

“Shanley and Allcock’s selfish actions were utterly deplorable and they should be ashamed of what they have done.

“They targeted a woman walking alone and tried to steal her belongings for a quick win – leaving her terrified and shaken as a result. Just minutes later, they then saw an opportunity to steal a car as the owner was preparing to take his daughter to school.

“I would like to thank the victims in this case for their cooperation and patience, and I hope this sentencing can give them some kind of closure following their respective ordeals.

“We are committed to tackling criminality and ensuring those who threaten the fabric of our communities are brought to justice and taken off the streets.”

The court heard Allcock was one of four men who burgled the Caledonian pub in Hebburn on December 4 last year.

The offenders smashed their way through a fire door, causing widespread damage, and stole various items including a charity collection box, a jukebox worth £700 and Christmas tips that had been put aside for staff.

Later that morning, Allcock and Shanley caused damage to a Coinstar machine at the Viking Centre in Jarrow after claiming the machine had jammed. They were confronted by staff after repeatedly kicking the machine.

Less than an hour later, the pair then targeted a lone woman as she walked near Jarrow Metro Station.

The 31-year-old victim was left sobbing after Allcock and Shanley tried to rob her. The offenders made off empty-handed when a member of the public who witnessed the attack came to the woman’s aid.

In a statement, the victim said: “This has left me feeling frightened, shocked and upset. I was crying.

“I walk this way to work and don't normally have any problems. It will certainly make me feel worried about walking this route again”.

Shortly after the attempted robbery, Shanley and Allcock jumped into a car that had been momentarily left on a nearby driveway.

When hearing the revving of an engine, the owner chased after the offenders but was dragged down the road as he tried to stop the vehicle.

The car was later found abandoned on a street in Hebburn.

Police arrested both individuals after spotting them walking down Station Road in Hebburn, and they were subsequently charged with attempted robbery, burglary, damaging property and allowing themselves to be carried in a stolen car.