Coran Royle, 26, has suffered lasting physical and mental repercussions since he was repeatedly punched, kicked and hit with a guitar at his flat in Robin Hey, Moss Side, Leyland.

His attackers, Desmond Bergin, 47, of Watkin Lane, Lostock Hall, and Alfred Mitchell, 46, of Cheetham Meadow, Leyland, were jailed for three years each at Preston Crown Court on Friday.

They had earlier pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

The victim's father, Peter Royle, 54, from the Leyland area, said after the sentencing: "Three years is not enough for the long term damage they have done to my son.
"The mitigation was pathetic."

The court had heard from prosecutor, Paul Brookwell, how the victim was forced into his bath and repeatedly hit on the head and shoulder with his own electric guitar by Mitchell.

He said: "Bergin said to get the heater and said: 'He is going to fry'.

"Bergin kept him in the bath and Mitchell produced a knife from the kitchen and at this point the victim thought he was going to be killed."

He said Mr Royle managed to struggle free and grab the knife moments before police arrived.

He added the two defendants had "tricked" their way into Mr Royle's home.

They were demanding the victim give them the address of one of his friends who Mitchell had a dispute with.

Mr Royle suffered extensive bruising and cuts and a fractured collar bone.

Judge Robert Brown said both defendants were under the influence of alcohol and Bergin had also taken cannabis shortly before the incident.

He said probation reports assessed neither defendant as being a significant risk to the public.

Chris Hudson, defending father-of-five Bergin, said previous assault charges against the defendant dated back to 1988 and 1994.

Stuart Denney, defending Mitchell, said his client had a serious lung condition that meant his time in custody would be more difficult to cope with.

The Evening Post reported last month how Coran Royle was stunned when his landlord, the Accent Group housing association, asked for £815 for the damage caused to the flat.

The company later withdrew the request.