A man was beaten over the head by a “brutal” attacker with a fire extinguisher in his Blackburn home.

Nicholas Armstrong, 50, entered the victim’s house in November before committing what was described as a “brutal and unprovoked” attack on him.

This included striking the victim, a 75-year-old widower, multiple times to the head with a fire extinguisher he picked up from within the house.

With the victim injured and defenceless, Armstrong continued to inflict repeated blows to him in multiple areas of his house.

He then took cash and bank cards from the victim’s trouser pocket and used them to purchase items from shops in the area.

Nicholas ArmstrongNicholas Armstrong (Image: Lancashire Police)

The victim miraculously managed to drive himself to the hospital, where he remained for six weeks – he has no memory of how he received the injuries or who was responsible.

Following an investigation, Armstrong, of no fixed address, was identified and arrested on November 16. He was charged with section 18 wounding with intent to cause grievous bodily harm, and remanded into custody.

Appearing at Preston Crown Court last week, the court heard Armstrong presented a high risk to members of the public and intimate partners, with a high risk of further serious offending.

He was given an immediate custodial sentence of 13 years, with a further five years on extended licence.

DC Jack Greenhalgh, of Blackburn CID, said: “I am pleased that the sentence handed down to Armstrong is a significant one, reflective of the severity of the offence, the danger that he presents to innocent members of the public and the vulnerability of the victim upon which this brutal and mindless attack was inflicted.

“I want to praise the victim for the bravery he has shown throughout this process.

"He continues to recover from the physical and psychological impact of the attack, over eight months after it occurred.”