THREE men who attacked a murder susp-ect's partner after the death of a baby have all been jailed for 12 months.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Andrew Gerard Elliott was set upon, branded a killer and knocked unconscious by Graham Anderson, 26, Kenneth Shailes, 54, and Mark McDonald, 36.

The victim and his live-in partner Lynne Jeffrey had earlier been arrested over the death of 11-month-old Courtney Shailes, who they had been babysitting.

At the time of the assault Mr Elliott had been released by police without charge. Jeffrey has been charged with murder and has yet to be tried.

She was McDonald's former girlfriend, Shailes was the baby's grandfather and Anderson was the partner of the infant's mother, Samantha Shailes, the court was told.

Anderson, of Belgrave Street, McDonald, of Smith Street, both Nelson, and Shailes, of Ingham Street, Padiham, all admitted assault causing actual bodily harm.

Roger Green, prosecuting, said Mr Elliott, in his early 40s, was alone at home in his flat on Poplar Street, Nelson, when he heard banging on his front door on August 28 last year.

McDonald was there with three men, demanding to know what happened when the infant died the week before. Mr Green said Mr Elliott was then asked to leave the flat and go with him as someone else wanted a word with him.

All five left and on Bradley Hall Road Mr Elliott was approached by the two other defendants.

He was verbally abused, punched twice in the face and went to the ground. He was repeatedly dubbed a murderer during the one minute attack.

The prosecutor said Mr Elliott was then seized by the legs and dragged to some spare land nearby.

He was kicked continually for about 30 seconds until police arrived.

Mr Green said the victim suffered a lacerated scalp and extensive bruises and lost consciousness at one stage during treatment.

l Jeffrey, 38, of Poplar Street, Nelson, has been charged with the murder of Courtney last August.