ABSURD

But today the identities of the attackers - then aged 16 and 17 - cannot be revealed because a judge said it would hinder their rehabilitation and embarrass their families.

The boys, both now 17, launched an unprovoked attack on Jonathan Parker as he helped a motorist in a Southampton suburb.

The judge in the case said the boys were lucky not to be facing charges of murder, but that was only because their victim had survived.

At one point one of the teenagers plunged the screwdriver into the face of Mr Parker so hard he could feel his teeth move, Winchester Crown Court was told.

Yet the Daily Echo is unable to name the culprits, who have previous convictions for violence, after a judge upheld an order preventing the public naming of juveniles.

The newspaper challenged the order because of the severity of the attack, and the fact the two youngsters have criminal pasts and are known to people in the area.

The court also heard how both juveniles had already received custodial terms for previous offences, with one of them facing charges in relation to another violent attack on a pizza delivery boy.

But Judge Justice Richard McCombe said naming them would "hinder their rehabilitation" and "embarrass" their families.

The incident happened on February 3 this year after Mr Parker had attended a call to Mandela Way in Shirley.

He fended off meat-cleaver blows to the face but suffered a three-inch head wound.

After disarming the attacker, the lad with the screwdriver jumped on his back and started stabbing him with it.

One of the victim's teeth was loosened as the object was driven into his face.

The youngsters then fled the scene when the police arrived, only to be picked up later drunk and abusive.

Mr Parker was taken to Southampton General Hospital for treatment to the stab wound to his face, and cuts to the back of his head, his arms and hands.

Both teenagers admitted possessing a dangerous weapon and wounding with intent. An attempted murder charge was dropped.

The youngsters also had violent histories with one having previous convictions for battery, assault, and assault with actual bodily harm and the other having convictions for battery, affray and failing to surrender to bail.

After the case Norman Brennan, head of the national Victims of Crime Trust, said: "These are two despicable individuals who have committed despicable offences - for them to have their identity withheld is disgraceful.

"This judge has a responsibility and duty to name and shame them to stop them reoffending.

"These two have clearly not been rehabilitated, and if they don't want to bring shame on the families they should not have committed the offences in the first place."

Defence lawyers said there were no mitigating factors.

Judge Justice McCombe told the teenagers: "You had both been charged with the attempted murder of Mr Parker and it's only good fortune that it was not a charge of murder, simply because Mr Parker didn't die in the attack.

"The public have become increasingly alarmed at this type of violent behaviour and your conduct was entirely against the law.

"You could easily have killed this man. You both subjected this victim to a terrible attack and there is nothing to distinguish either of you in the attack."

A spokeswoman for the RAC said the organisation was pleased with the outcome. She added that Mr Parker is back at work having coped admirably with the after effects of the trauma.