A MAN who had repeatedly attacked a friend staying at his estranged wife's house with a lump hammer has been jailed for two years.

David Allen, 38, had set about victim Daniel Daly as he sat on the settee after the victim had tried to intervene in an altercation between the defendant and his wife Christine Allen.

Mr Daly suffered three lacerations to his scalp and had to go to hospital for treatment, Burnley Crown Court heard.

The court was told how Allen's life had been running smoothly until he and his wife had a stillborn son.

The defendant had started abusing substances and his relationship had broken down.

Allen, of Pritchard Street, Burnley, had earlier admitted causing griev-ous bodily harm with intent.

Sentencing him, Judge Beverley Lunt said that the assault was unprovoked and pre-meditated, as Allen had gone and armed himself with the hammer.

The defendant had had a "massive" amount of alcohol and "could have killed the man."

Mercedah Jabbari, prosecuting, told the court the Allens had been living apart and the victim was a friend of Christine Allen's.

Mrs Allen took a mobile call from the defendant between 9pm and 10pm and left the house. Daniel Daly stayed in the living room asleep.

At 3am, he was awoken by banging on the front door and found Mrs Allen in a distressed state, asking to be let in. Mr Daly saw she was on the floor, with her arms raised to protect herself. Allen was standing over her, grabbing hold of her jacket.

Miss Jabbari said Mr Daly tried to intervene, helped Mrs Allen back in the house and the defendant followed.

The victim attempted to close the door but Allen tried to barge his way in.

Mrs Allen then allowed Mr Daly to open the door and let her husband in.

Allen entered the house and Mr Daly was sitting on the settee.

The defendant walked into the kitchen then went into the living room armed with a lump hammer and struck the victim several times.

The court was told Allen then went back into the property with the lump hammer and tried to wash it. The victim's injuries were treated and he had a tetanus injection.

The prosecutor said when quizzed by police, the defendant in the main made no comment.

He had four previous convictions.

Sergey Prokofiev, defending, said Allen had expressed remorse and was one of the people who called an ambulance.

Allen could not explain what had happened.

But it was an over-reaction to something.