A HAIRDRESSER who almost died after a vicious nightclub beating has spoken of his relief after his two attackers were jailed.

Simon Townley, who has brittle bone disease, suffered a brain haem- orrhage and fractures to his cheek and eye socket after Jack Robinson and Alex Cheetham launched an unprovoked attack.

His family were told that he was likely to die from his injuries and if he did survive he would suffer permanent brain damage.

But despite being left almost blind in one eye and with permanent facial injuries, Mr Townley said that he was keen to get on with his life after Robinson was jailed for two years and Cheetham 10 months.

The former Fisher More High School pupil became a father for the first time five months ago after his girlfriend, Sarah Smith, gave birth to the couple’s little boy Louie.

He said: “I’m just glad it’s all over and want to put the whole thing behind me and get on with my life. I know it sounds soppy but I’m just really happy that I can spend time with my girlfriend and little boy.

“I still go out in Burnley, but I would rather spend time with my family on Sundays, doing things together.”

The 23-year-old, who runs his own salon, DJST Hairgroup, with business partner Dale James, in Keirby Walk, Burnley, was in Posh nightclub in Burnley on ‘Mad Friday’, the last Friday before Christmas, when the attacked occurred.

Burnley Crown Court was told Mr Townley had been with two ladies, one of them Rebecca Ellison had been in a relationship with a man called Lee Fleming at some stage.

Jacinta Stringer, prosecuting, said Miss Ellison had been seen kissing the victim. Mr Fleming, who was in the club with Cheetham, was very upset and told his immediate friends.

Mr Townley was then attacked. Robinson punched him in his left eye, allegedly striking two or three times. The victim was seen staggering backwards in a dazed state and Cheetham then hit him once in the face.

Miss Stringer said Mr Townley was bleeding a lot and was in a very bad state. An ambulance was called and in the vehicle he was semi-conscious and vomiting. He was first taken to Royal Blackburn Hospital where he was found to have fractures to his eye socket and cheek.

He was transferred to Royal Preston Hospital. Mr Townley had a blood clot and medics had to fracture his skull to remove it. The court heard he had been left upset and angry at being scarred for life.

The prosecutor added Mr Townley’s left eye was sunken after the assault and he had been referred to a plastic surgeon but did not want to have any further operations.

Robinson, of Church Street, Blackpool, and Cheetham, of The Meadows, Burnley, both admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm last December 19.

The court was told Robinson had 10 previous convictions and his co-defendant had one for drink driving.

For Robinson Philip Holden said the defendant fully accepted Mr Townley did nothing to cause the assault and was ashamed of his actions.

The defendant, who had a long-standing drink problem, had written a letter to Mr Townley’s family.

Mr Holding said: “He knows the court could pass a custodial sentence today and in his own words recognises he deserves it.”

Richard Taylor, defending Cheetham, said he came from a decent hard-working family, he accepted striking one blow, acting on impulse and clearly out of character.

The solicitor added: “For this young man this is very much a life defining moment.”

Sentencing, recorder Dennis Watson QC, said the offence was extremely serious and Mr Townley had been left permanently injured.

He had a sunken eye socket and his cheekbones are out of alignment.

The judge said Robinson had a poor record for violence and had to go to custody to protect the public.

He added Cheetham had been of positive good character and had a taken a lesser part.