TWO people have been jailed for a late-night attack on a couple who came to the aid of a woman being bullied.

Johnathan Birkbeck and Amy McCann were told by a judge that their behaviour was appalling and they must be locked up.

Joinery student Birkbeck was jailed for 18 months because he was the instigator of the incident in Redcar, east Cleveland.

Young mother McCann got two years because she has a history of drunkenness, violence and disorderly behaviour.

Michael Moody, 38, and Joanne Smith, 42, were set upon after intervening in an argument between Birkbeck and another woman.

Birkbeck, 22, was joined by McCann, 20, in the revenge attack on the couple as they walked the earlier victim to a taxi.

Mr Moody was left with horrific facial injuries after a “sustained beating”, said Richard Parsell, prosecuting.

He was repeatedly punched and kicked by Birkbeck, and booted in the back and legs by McCann, Teesside Crown Court heard.

The court was told that Mr Moody was attacked after going to the aid of Ms Smith who had been knocked out by a punch from McCann.

McCann, who has an 18-month-old daughter, admitted two charges of assault causing actual bodily harm on November 1 last year.

Birkbeck, who has offences of dishonesty and drink driving on his record, pleaded guilty to one charge of actual bodily harm.

His lawyer, Robert Mochrie, said: “There is no excuse for his behaviour, but since that time he has steered clear of the courts.”

Peter Wishlade, for McCann, said: “She is ashamed of what happened, and accepts that becoming involved was unacceptable and reprehensible.”

Judge Peter Fox told McCann, of Kent Road, Redcar: “Plainly, when drunk, you have got a strong propensity for violence.”

He told Birkbeck, of Cropton Close, Redcar: “This was in a public street in the early hours of the morning and it must be dealt with appropriately.”