A JUDGE branded two thugs ‘feral and out of control’ as he jailed them for a total of six years.

Steven Jepson, 20, of Exeter Street, and Shaun Gleave, 18, of Hollin Bridge Street, both Blackburn, attacked two people in half an hour last October.

They approached 77-year-old Raymond Tennant from behind and struck him on the back of the head, knocking him unconscious in a park that runs between Hollin Bridge Street and Aqueduct Road.

Some 30 minutes later they forced 29-year-old James Holden to the floor and kicked him in the head and on his legs.

Mr Tennant had six teeth removed from his lower jaw, while Mr Holden was left with a dislocated elbow and bruising.

Jepson and Gleave pleaded guilty grievously bodily harm on Mr Tennant and assaulting Mr Holden.

Jailing them for six years each, Judge Anthony Russell QC said the pair were ‘feral and out of control’.

After the case, Mr Tennant spoke of his slow road to recovery.

Retired HGV driver Mr Tennant struggled to eat following the vicious assault and lost weight, but is now 'fit and healthy' after overcoming his injuries.

He said: "I have physically recovered from the attack but I am always looking over my shoulder when I go out.

"It was very traumatic for my wife and my children, especially the way in which they found me, collapsed on the floor and covered in blood.They couldn't believe what happened. and there was a sense of outrage about it all.

"I am glad it has finally ended. I wanted to see them go to jail so that they get some time to think things over. Whether that will make a difference to them I don't know."

After the case, police praised officers’ forensic jobs" target="_blank">work and information from the public which they said led to the guilty pleas.

Detective Inspector Neil Ashton said: “Both these incidents were vicious attacks on defenseless men and I am pleased with the sentence given.”

Defending Gleave Claire Thomas said her client was a troubled young man, whose father had been murdered when he was just 11 years-old.

Defending Jepson Hugh Mckaa said: “My client fully appreciates what he has done and wished me to apologise to his victims today.

"He says he can’t understand or believe what he has done.”