AN Accrington man who repeatedly punched a father-of-three in the face fracturing his jaw in two places has been jailed for five years.

Danny Derbyshire, 29, who also smashed 44-year-old Glynn Fort's head against the pavement, had been convicted of causing grievous bodily harm with intent after a three-day trial at Burnley Crown Court earlier this month.

Sentencing him yesterday at Manchester Crown Court, Judge Brian Carter described it as an "appalling offence". He said: "This was mindless violence caused by drink. In many years I have seldom come across a case of grievous bodily harm where the victim, without a weapon or kicking being used, has sustained such serious injuries."

Handing down the sentence he added: "It is necessary to make it perfectly plain to those who commit violence of this sort that serious punishment follows in the hope that some may be prevented from behaving in this way."

Derbyshire, of Burnley Road, launched the unprovoked attack on Mr Fort, a forklift truck driver for a soft drinks company in Nelson, as he walked home following a night out with friends in the early hours of Monday, April 26.

June Morris, prosecuting, said: "He became aware that he was being followed and turned to see the defendant. Without warning the defendant punched him."

She told the court that the victim had tried to run away but slipped and fell and was then pinned to the ground by Derbyshire who punched him in the face fracturing his jaw in two places and both cheekbones.

Miss Morris said: "The defendant tried cover his tracks. He got his wife to wash his blood-stained shirt and then called the police saying he had witnessed an assault placing it at another location to distance himself from it."

The court heard that Derbyshire later returned to where Mr Fort was lying unconscious in Water Street and got a milkman delivering in the area to contact the emergency services.

Neil Usher, defending, said his client had a number of problems and needed help, particularly with the way he acts when he drinks.

Speaking after Derbyshire was sentenced Mr Fort, from Accrington, said: "I don't hate the man. But he deserves the punishment he has been given. He shouldn't have done it in the first place."

Det Sgt Paul Broxsom said the sentence was a warning to others that violent crimes like this would not be tolerated.

He said: "It should send the right message out that people committing such offences are likely to face a tough sentence."