AN off-licence owner was set upon by a drunken thug who knocked nine of his teeth out in an unprovoked attack.

Neil Quinn, 43, was headbutted unconscious and kicked and punched, in front of his wife and son, by 20 year-old Martin Dwyer.

The attack, outside the off licence the Quinn family had run in Derby Street, Colne, for 26 years, was only halted when Mr Quinn's son Jack, 17, threw himself over his dad to prevent further injury.

Burnley Crown Court heard the attack was sparked after Mr Quinn returned to his off licence to find a window broken.

He asked Dwyer, who had been seen nearby, "What's going on?" and was attacked. Mr Quinn is expected to be left with a £10,000 dental bill and has had to undergo counselling with his wife.

Dywer, of Charles Street, Colne, was jailed for 20 months by a judge after admitting assault causing actual bodily harm and having an offensive weapon.

After the verdict Mr Quinn's wife Susan, 41, said: "We're all pleased that he's now behind bars, but what I still can't get over is why he had to be so vicious.

"There was no reason for it. He'll probably be out of jail in a year, but it'll take years for Neil's injuries to be fixed, if they can be at all.

"We felt like packing up and leaving but we've been here 26 years, and why should we be chased out by one drunken thug?"

Sentencing, Judge Alan Taylor, who had read a letter of apology from Dwyer, told him the attack was the worst kind of assault causing actual bodily harm and he was fortunate he had not been charged with a more serious offence.

Sarah Statham, prosecuting, told the court that Dwyer had walked towards Mr Quinn in an aggressive manner and headbutted him, making contact with his mouth.

Mr Quinn dropped to the ground, probably banging his face on the pavement as he fell.

He was unconscious and afterwards could remember nothing about the beating.

Mrs Quinn tried to intervene but was pushed to the ground. Jack then pushed the defendant away and leaned over his father, trying to protect him.

Police arrested Dwyer nearby and he told them he had a knife on him.