TWO "arrogant" young carjackers who forced a man out of his vehicle and drove it away were today starting jail terms.

The attack on car driver Timothy Duckitt was only one incident in six weeks of late- night drug and alcohol fuelled violence by Terence Havens, aged 19.

They included giving a Burger King customer an unprovoked beating with a broomstick, twice punching the face of a doorman on his way home and spitting at a policeman, all in separate incidents, said Simon Kealey, prosecuting. All the attacks were at night.

York Crown Court heard that his fellow carjacker Richard Stuart Hurst, also 19, had served time for other drink-related violence.

"It was mean, bullying and criminal and it was typical of you two and your arrogance," Judge Jim Spencer QC told the pair about their attack on Mr Duckitt. He jailed Havens for two years and nine months and Hurst for 15 months.

Havens, formerly of The Reindeer pub in Penley's Grove Street, York, pleaded guilty to affray, taking a vehicle without consent, actual bodily harm assault, assaulting a police officer, carrying a knife in public when police caught him crouched by a car late at night, assault and obstructing a police officer.

Hurst, formerly of The Groves, York, now no fixed abode, admitted affray and taking a vehicle without consent.

Mr Kealey said that Mr Duckitt had just collected sound equipment after a disco at the pub late on April 19 when he gave Hurst, Havens and a third man a lift.

They had gone a very short distance when Hurst pulled the handbrake on and Havens pulled Mr Duckitt by the neck and threatened him. The car driver fled and the three drove the car away. It was later found abandoned.

Hurst and Havens said the third man drove the car and Havens denied making threats.

For Havens, Taryn Turner said he had problems that needed help. He used drugs and alcohol and had difficulty controlling his temper. But he had decided on his release to seek a new home away from a pub and lead a new life.

For Hurst, Nicholas Barker said he self-harmed himself when in drink, but had been on an alcohol awareness course while in custody.

Updated: 09:39 Saturday, September 06, 2003