Ian Cornforth (43) and his brother Thomas (38), both of High Street , made the lives of grandmother-of-nine Marjorie McQue, known as Madge, and her husband Pete, who are both in their 60s, sheer misery.

On Monday, York Crown Court imposed an indefinite restraining order against the brothers which includes banning them from contacting the McQues or entering the ward of Fylingdales where they live.

The court heard although the charge of harassment against them related to a 10-year period until 2007, the Cornforths had been committing offences against them since 1992.

The Cornforths repeatedly damaged their vehicles including their distinctive red Pontiac, breaking windows, slashing numerous tyres including on one occasion four in one day and scratching bodywork.

It left them with repair bills of more than £7,500.

The catalogue of offences include the brothers pursuing them in their cars and making abusive phone calls to their home and Mrs McQue's place of work at Danby and Egton doctors' surgery where she was practice manager.

Speaking exclusively to the Whitby Gazette she said: "It is incredible to think that we have endured year after year of criminal damage.

"The cost has been phenomenal and no way could we have ever claimed on our car insurance.

"The continual hatred the Cornforths seems to bear against us is so unjustified.

"They are low life, the scum of the earth.

"People say 'what did you to do them' and I say we haven't done anything.

"I had never met either of the Cornforths before.

"I honestly believe they had some form of fixation on me because of a red Pontiac car we have.

"This car has been damaged while at my work places and parked in the street and while parked at Pete's business premises.

"A lot of this was happening in the winter and driving home on a night was awful as I never knew whether I was going to be chased down the Guisborough to Whitby road or whether I was going to land up on the side of the road with a flat tyre."

The couple were forced to turn their home into a fortress with CCTV cameras and security lights, even placing a camera in their car and she has not had her current car, a Nissan, repaired after all its body panels have been scratched, for fear it will be damaged again.

Mrs McQue had to change her route to work, where she shopped and was stalked no matter where she went or what she did, leaving her unable to go to the pub or garage for fear they too would be targeted.

She added: "I am now finding I am constantly looking over my shoulder watching cars and people around me.

"I only feel secure in my own home.

"The police have been really good.

"For a period of time they followed me home every night.

"Our lives have been unbearable over the last 16 years, people just don't believe it.

"We do not know what normal is anymore.