TWO men who attacked a dad in front of two screaming children are awaiting sentence.

Burnley Crown Court heard Raymond Craigie, 39, suffered broken teeth, cuts, bruises and swelling after he was set upon by his girlfriend's former partner and two other men at her house in Accrington.

The living room was spattered in blood after the beating, last August.

The Crown alleged Mr Craigie was subjected to an unprovoked assault but a judge ordered a trial over the facts after the barristers of the defendants, John Smedley, 35, and John Wigglesworth, 21, claimed they had not gone to the house to cause violence.

Smedley, of Whalley Road, and Wigglesworth, of Persia Street, both Accrington, admitted assault causing actual bodily harm and were remanded in custody until January 30.

Maisie Burke, prosecuting, said Mr Craigie was living with Louise Holland, by whom Smedley had a four-year-old son. Miss Burke said Smedley stamped on the victim's head several times, causing him "unbelievable pain". Mr Craigie heard the defendant say: "Again, again."

Smedley had 42 previous convictions, including offences of affray, violent disorder and battery and Wigglesworth had 10 previous convictions for violence.

Paul Hague, defending Smedley, said the defendant had been visiting his cousin on the same street as his former partner.

He had been told his ex-girlfriend's brother had been seen dragging his son in a rough manner. He said he saw his former partner in the garden and called out to her to ensure it did not happen again.

Fraser Livesey, defending Wigglesworth, said the defendant did not go looking for trouble.