A GROUP who plotted to kill a man in Burnley have been jailed for almost 50 years.

Luigi Dalli hatched the plan to kill Kurt Crawford after he started a relationship with Dalli’s ex-girlfriend.

At around 10pm on June 14 last year, 39-year-old Crawford was attacked outside his home address on Cog Lane, Burnley by two men.

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He suffered numerous injuries and was taken to the Royal Preston Hospital for surgery and further treatment. He has since made a full recovery.

Dalli, 46 of Blandford Road, Salford and a 17-year-old who cannot be named, were originally arrested and charged with section 18 wounding.

However, the police investigation uncovered a wider plot and the pair were subsequently arrested and charged with conspiracy to murder, along with three others, brothers Liam Johnson, 20, and Carl Johnson, 28, of Chancel Avenue Salford and Caroline Meighan, 43, also of Chancel Avenue.

The Johnson brothers pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit grievous bodily harm but were convicted after a trial at Manchester Crown Court of conspiracy to murder and jailed for life with a minimum term of 15 years.

Dalli was found guilty of conspiracy to commit murder and soliciting to murder and was sentenced to life with a minimum term of 15 years.

Meighan was convicted of conspiracy to commit section 18 wounding and was jailed for three years.

The 17-year-old was acquitted of all charges.

Trial judge Judge Stockdale described the plot as savage and cowardly and a cold blooded, cold hearted plot.

Detective Inspector Martin Melvin, of Burnley Police, said: “The sentences handed down today reflect the gravity of these very serious offences. Luigi Dalli hatched a plot to kill Kurt Crawford and then hired the Johnson brothers to carry it through.

“Kurt Crawford was savagely attacked near to his home after Luigi Dalli hatched a plot to kill him and hired the Johnson brothers to carry out his scheme.

"Mr Crawford was left with injuries to his abdomen, lacerations to the liver, perforation of the small bowel and other axe and knife wounds. He was lucky to survive and I welcome the sentences which reflect the gravity of the offences.”