Huncoat man jailed for vicious attack on his former friend (From Lancashire Telegraph)

Huncoat man jailed for vicious attack on his former friend

12:49pm Monday 19th September 2011 in Huncoat By Wendy Barlow, Court reporter

A MAN who beat up his former ‘drinking partner’ after turning up at his nearby home has been locked up for 14 months.

John Squire, 53, left David Navin with multiple head injuries, loose teeth, struggling to eat and needing repeated hospital visits and surgery, after the victim was dragged from his property in Huncoat and attacked.

Mr Navin and Squire had been good friends before the victim gave evidence against the defendant in a civil court case over a fall and the beating occurred not long after, Burnley Crown Court heard.

Mr Navin, 41, ended up on the ground on his hands and knees, with blood pouring from his mouth, nose and face, and his partner shouting: ‘Get off him'.

Squire, of Juniper Court, Huncoat, who has a long criminal record, including convictions for violence, admitted assault causing actual bodily harm, last November 13.

David Macro, prosecuting, said five days before the incident, Mr Navin had given evidence against the defendant at Manchester County Court.

The hearing was told after the assault, a witness saw people run off to the defendant’s nearby flat. Police found Squire in his front room and he claimed Mr Navin had head butted him. He told officers the victim got his injuries by banging his head about on the walls and floor.

For Squire, Daniel Thomas said there was a degree of premeditation on his part.

The barrister told the court: “This was a friendship which broke down in the most tragic of circumstances.”