THE brutal attackers who horrifically tortured York tattooist Steve Lee have still not been caught, police confirmed today.

No one has ever been brought to justice for the shocking events that unfolded at his home in March 2004, when both his ears were hacked off.

Steve, who formerly ran the Two Ronnies Tattoo Studio, in Clarence Street, needed more than 100 stitches in his head and face, and 12 in his groin after the attack.

He bravely went back to work at the premises, but has now sold up to a former colleague and is believed to be living abroad.

In scenes reminiscent of the ultra violent Quentin Tarantino film Reservoir Dogs, three barbaric raiders wearing "joke" masks tied Steve to a chair and hacked off his ears with a craft knife.

They tortured him for more than 30 minutes at his home in Hull before escaping with his £25,000 life savings.

Surgeons also had to attach the severed parts of his ears to his stomach to try to regenerate the cartilage.

A spokesman for Humberside Police said: "The matter is still under investigation, and will never be closed.

"If anyone has any extra information, we would appeal for them to come forward."

A worker at the Two Ronnies tattoo shop, who asked not to be named, said: "We've heard that Steve is in Cyprus.

"It's a shame that the police never found who did it because it could happen to someone else."

Steve, also known as Stephen Hunter, came close to being burned alive after the gang poured petrol over his head and groin.

His life was saved when they failed to ignite a cigarette lighter.

He told the Evening Press after the attack: "I could hear the slashing, like someone chopping at a piece of pork.

"I felt him slash my face. Then I felt him get hold of my ears with his other hand and cut at them.

"At that stage, the pain didn't come into it.

"I was just thinking about how I could escape."

Steve was a respected tattooist in York for 21 years, and was hoping to use the money to retire abroad.

Updated: 10:14 Wednesday, January 11, 2006