GRANDMOTHER Dorothy Hodgson who needed 30 stitches in her face after being pushed down the stairs by two burglars today said she was determined not to let the trauma wreck her life.

And she told of her disappointment after the intruders were jailed for less than three years.

Former nurse Dorothy Hodgson, 74, needed 30 stitches in her face after she was injured when Vjaceslavs Skerskans, 29, and Ramunas Budvyatis, 30, raided her home in Brierfield.

The two men, both of Bishop Street, Nelson, were each jailed for 32 months yesterday at Preston Crown Court after earlier admitting burglary. Both will face deportation orders on their release from prison.

A charge of assault was dropped as the prosecution could not determine who had pushed Mrs Hodgson, who was a volunteer at Burnley FC's Turf Moor with the St John Ambulance for 25 years.

Speaking about the incident for the first time, the grandmother-of-two said after the case she was glad both men would be deported but she was determined the attack "wouldn't wreck" her life.

The police have also spoken out against the sentence saying that it was "very lenient" and the Crown Prosecution Service was said to be considering an appeal.

Nelson MP Gordon Prentice added that it was right for the men to be deported.

Mrs Hodgson, who worked as a nursing sister at Reedyford Hospital for 30 years, said: "I am a bit disappointed at the sentence which seems light, but I am also relieved that the whole ordeal is over and I can get on with my life.

"I was determined after the burglary that I wouldn't let these people destroy my life and I just tried to get on with things. Now that they are in prison I can finally put all this behind me and look forward to the future.

"I am also glad that the judge told them they would be deported when they come out of prison, that's what they deserve."

Mrs Hodgson, who was present at the hearing, had to crawl to a neighbour's to raise the alarm after the burglarly last July.

Following the incident, Mrs Hodgson was forced to move out of her home of more than 30 years.

Recorder Mark Ford told the defendants that as a result of a push the victim had fallen downstairs, but it was not a deliberate act.

As well as the stitches, other complications followed which required further proceedures.

He said there were aggravating features of the case. There had been a confrontation with the householder who was vulnerable and lived alone. And she had sustained serious facial injury.

"The photos show a clear and disturbing story," he said.

DC Ben Hodgkinson from Nelson CID said "This does indeed seem to be a very lenient sentence given the fact that Mrs Hodgson suffered such serious injuries.

"The court was fully aware of what the impact of both defendants actions were on Mrs Hodgson. She even sold her home of 34 years, and moved as a result. I do, however, agree with Mrs Hodgson, in that deportation for both defendants is right and proper, and take some comfort from that."

Gordon Prentice said: "I am pleased that these men have been sent to prison and I hope they will be deported when they come out. We do not want their sort living here."