THREE evil thugs involved in the "vicious and sadistic" torture of a mentally ill woman and who robbed a helpless blind man were today behind bars for a total of more than 22 years.

A court heard how during her three-day horror ordeal of degradation after intruders forced their way into her Accrington home, vulnerable alcoholic victim Julie Evans was subjected to cruel and humiliating treatment, with no respect for her humanity.

The 36-year-old was "systematically beaten", had paint and then cold water poured over her, was bound, had dog dirt rubbed in her face, was forced to bite on soap, had shampoo squirted into her mouth, was urinated on, threatened with death and had her hair hacked off.

She was also forced to sit in a darkened cupboard - whilst her torturers watched her television.

Medics later found Miss Evans had 43 injuries and she was in hospital for a week. She was covered in bruises, had perforated ear drums and her ribs were damaged.

Yesterday her three tormentors, mother of two Zoe Bradshaw, 24, a former alcoholic, her then "abusive" boyfriend, ex-convict and drunkard Matthew Grist, 24, and his teenage brother Robert Grist, 17, were slammed by a judge at Burnley Crown Court as she jailed them.

Judge Pamela Badley told the trio, also involved in a spate of other robberies and burglaries, Miss Evans' treatment last March was "vicious and sadistic", "inhuman" and "defied belief in a civilised society".

The judge added the offence against blind Barry Dickinson, 44, who had thought the defendants were going to his assistance, was "despicable".

Robert Grist, of Tremellen Street, Accrington, was sent to detention for 10 years. He admitted three robbery charges, false imprisonment, assault causing actual bodily harm and asked for a burglary on Dill Hall Lane, Church, and a robbery of an 82-year-old widow to be considered.

Matthew Grist, of Whalley Road, Clayton-le-Moors, who has 23 previous convictions and has served time for robbery, pleaded guilty to robbery, burglaries at Dill Hall Lane and Whalley Road, Accrington, theft of a post office card from Miss Evans as an alternative to robbery and assaulting her causing her actual bodily harm. He was sent to prison for eight and a half years.

Bradshaw, who has no previous convictions and sobbed incontrollably in the dock, was given four years. The defendant, of Hermitage Street, Rishton, admitted two counts of robbery, false imprisonment, assault causing actual bodily harm and asked for the robbery of the 82-year-old and the Whalley Road and Dill Hall Lane burglaries to be considered.

Amiot Vollenweider, prosecuting, told the court the grave crimes began on March 23 last year, when Zoe Bradshaw and Robert Grist robbed Michael Butterworth, 48, as he walked home in Accrington just after midnight.

Mr Vollenweider said Miss Evans was robbed on March 25 by Robert Grist, falsely imprisoned the day after by Grist and Bradshaw and the same day all three defendants assaulted her causing her actual bodily harm.

Miss Evans , who lived in "poor conditions", was returning to her home when the offenders barged in. She was roughed up, pushed about, punched and kicked and had white gloss paint poured over her head and body. Grist then poured five pans of cold water over the victim and took her post office account card and PIN number.

Miss Evans' ordeal did not end there as the next day, all the defendants turned up. She was verbally abused, had her hands tied behind her back with shoes laces and was forced to sit in a cupboard.

Dog faeces was rubbed in her face and Robert Grist urinated on her as she lay on her bed. She was then bundled outside and left naked in the street as the defendants made off.

Mr Vollenweider said on March 30 Mr Dickinson was robbed near Accrington Sports Centre. He was led off the main road and down a path and assumed he was being given help. Mr Dickinson was then led to a secluded area where he was tripped and forced to the ground. He lost his white cane and heard it being thrown across gravel. Mr Dickinson was threatened with a knife, his wallet was snatched and he was forced to reveal his PIN number. Mr Dickinson crawled around until he found his cane and was then able to make his way back home and call the police.

Bradshaw and Robert Grist also struck at the sheltered accommodation home of 82-year-old widow Barbara Slater, who was physically bundled into her lounge, pushed on to the setee and her handbag pinched.

Defending Bradshaw, Stuart Denney said she had been "uniquely vulnerable" at the time of the offences and had a loss of perception of what was good, what was evil and what was very evil.

Jane Dagnall, for Robert Grist, said the defendant had become desensitised towards violence, having seen it in the home, but had shown remorse by writing to his victims.

For Matthew Grist, Charles Brown said he regretted his behaviour and the appalling treatment of Miss Evans.

After the case, Detective Constable Donna Cross of Accrington police said: "These are particularly vile and calculated offences, committed against very vulnerable members of the public, with no regard for the fear, misery and emotional distress caused to them."