11:00pm Friday 1st August 2008
By Wendy Barlow
TWO drunken dads who gave an innocent stranger a “vicious beating” after they insulted his girlfriend have both been jailed for 16 months.
Victim Daniel Morris, who had been to his work Christmas party, was left with one of his teeth hanging from its socket and other injuries after the early morning attack by Wayne Bannister, 28 and Ricardo Dunn, 26.
Onlookers described the pair as acting like “crazed animals” as they repeatedly booted Mr Morris to the head and body after running at him and knocking him to the ground.
Mr Morris lay motionless on the floor as the pair took turns to set about him and his girlfriend pleaded with them to stop the onslaught, Burnley Crown Court heard.
Father of two Bannister, of Admiral Street, and father of three Dunn of Padgate Place, both Burnley, had earlier admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm, last December 22.
Sentencing, Judge Philip Sycamore said both defendants had equal responsibility for the offence. He slammed the incident as "disgraceful," and said it was very fortunate for Mr Morris - and the defendants- he was not much more seriously injured.
The judge said: “Unprovoked attacks in the street fuelled by drink are far too prevalent in this country."
Mark Stuart, prosecuting, said several people witnessed the assault. One said the defendants kicked Mr Morris like a football whilst another said Dunn stamped on the victim's head and body a number of times.
Dunn was arrested on Red Lion Street at about 1.35am. He had blood on his jeans but claimed: "I haven't done nothing." Bannister, who at first gave a false name, told police: "I have done nothing. I am just going home."
The court was told Mr Morris was taken to hospital and later had the tooth removed. Bannister had 24 previous convictions and Dunn had served two custodial terms for robbery.
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