Marjorie McQue and her husband Pete, who are both in their 60s, suffered year after year of abuse, harassment and criminal damage at the hands of Ian (43) and Thomas Cornforth (38).

The brothers were given an indefinite restraining order banning them from the ward of Fylingdales, where the McQues live, or from ever coming within 10 metres of the couple when they appeared at York Crown Court this week.

The Cornforths, who don't work and are on state benefits, were also ordered to do 300 hours of unpaid work in the community.

The catalogue of abuse included:

l £7,500 damage to the couple's cars

l following her in their car

l a sex act performed from a window

l and abusive phone calls.

Although the charge of harassment relates to the past 10 years, the court heard how since 1992 the couple's vehicles, including their distinctive Pontiac car, had their tyres punctured, bodywork scratched and windows smashed when they were parked at Egton and Danby doctors' surgeries where Mrs McQue was practice manager.

She eventually gave up her job and the couple even moved house to avoid their tormentors.

Mrs McQue received abusive calls at home and work, was pursued in her car on her way home, when socialising and shopping and Thomas, even performed a sex act in front of her from the window of the house he shares with his brother and their parents who are in ill-health.

Such was the Cornforths' sick behaviour that the McQues effectively became "prisoners in their own home" and "felt under siege", the court heard.

Prosecution barrister Chris Smith said Ian Cornforth had in the past committed offences against another family, the Galloways, on one occassion setting fire to their car.

He added Mrs McQue had been driven to the "depths of despair" by the defendants and the couple were forced to make their home into a fortress with CCTV and security lights.

"She feels like a prisoner in her own home and has not had a good night's sleep for years, constantly listening for vehicles and noises," he said.

"She has a non-existent social life, avoids going out on her own and stopped some of her pastimes."

The McQues no longer drive their Pontiac because it became the target of the attacks by the Cornforths who, the court heard, have convictions in the past for damaging vehicles.

Daniel Cordy, mitigating for Ian Cornforth, said there has been a nine-month gap in the brothers' offending and there has been no more trouble.

He added Ian has some "personal difficulties" and is being treated by a doctor.

Henry Trory, mitigating on behalf of Thomas Cornforth, said he did not want to challenge the prosecution's version of events.

Judge Stephen Ashurst told the pair they were two men who "simply didn't understand the damage that they have done."

"It is quite a remarkable catalogue of offending against Mr and Mrs McQue.

"The two of you live in your own little world.