TWO brothers who almost severed the hand of a man they were involved in a bitter dispute with were jailed at the High Court in London.

Midgtaba Ali, 19, and his brother Mustafa, 20, of Montague Street, Blackburn, had pleaded guilty at Preston Crown Court in May this year to wounding Makhdoom "Biggie" Ali with intent.

Mr Justice McCombe sentenced them both to four and a half years, telling them "attacks of this sort simply cannot be tolerated."

Francis Sheridan, defending Midgtaba, told the judge the brothers had simply "snapped" at the "final straw" of Mr Ali threatening to desecrate their father's grave.

Arguing they were from a "highly respectable family", Mr Sheridan added that the pair had been expected to follow their five brothers and sisters into well-paid jobs. But, instead of going to university, they now faced a number of years behind bars.

The court was told that on February 5, this year, the brothers burst into a house in Blackburn where Mr Ali, known as Biggie because of his girth, was with a group of other people.

Robert Elias, prosecuting, said the pair shouted that they were going to kill him before attacking him with axes and hammers.

Mr Elias said Mr Ali was struck on the right wrist with an axe, almost severing his hand which was "left hanging on by a flap of skin."

The barrister added that Mr Ali suffered eight injuries in the "frenzied, violent and shocking" attack.

Each brother also faced charges of attempted murder, but their pleas to wounding with intent were later accepted by the Crown.