A MAN who attacked a 73-year-old with a hammer on the victim's doorstep has been jailed for life.

Joseph Ormonde, 31, previously of Mitchell Street, Burnley, was convicted of wounding with intent following a trial at Preston Crown Court. He was cleared of attempted murder.

On Monday, he was sentenced to life with a minimum term of eight and a half years before he can apply for parole.

At around 6pm to 6.15pm on Friday, December 1, pensioner Donald Burton answered the door to his home on Rossetti Avenue, Burnley, and was hit with a hammer, suffering a serious head injury. The motive for the assault remains unknown.

The family said every day had been 'torture' since the attack.

A statement said: “On December 1 2017 Joseph Ormonde’s action caused my family to explode.

"From that day we’ve experienced deepest emotions of anger and sadness to ones of just feeling numb.

"We still can’t believe to this day what has happened to our dad.

"Due to dad’s brutal attack and the nature of his injuries we are not allowed to grieve but are on high emotional alert every day.

"This is unfair and torture for the whole family.

"Dad’s injuries are so severe that he has effectively lost the life he had. We as a family can only take each day as it comes.”

Detective Chief Inspector Geoff Hurst said: “This was a horrific assault carried out on an elderly man simply answering the door of his own home, an assault from which the victim has never fully recovered and the sentence delivered today reflects the gravity of this horrendous offence.

“This conviction was only secured as a result of the dedication, professionalism and hard work of officers and staff who were determined to try and secure justice for Mr Burton’s family.

"In particular I would like to thank the family liaison officers, who provided great support to Mr Burton’s relatives and DC Dave Greenwood, Assistant Investigator Greg Braysford and Investigation Support Supervisor Keith Rimmer for their outstanding work.

“Our thoughts remain with the victim and his friends and family.”

Judge Robert Altham also commended the police investigation calling it meticulous.