A SPURNED lover who attacked his ex-girlfriend's new man with a wheel brace was today starting a life sentence.

Preston Crown Court was told Jason Singleton already had a wounding conviction, dating back 17 years, and his second meant he was eligible for the jail term.

Violent Singleton, 34, of Commercial Street, in Oswaldtwistle, pleaded guilty at an earlier hearing to causing grievous bodily harm with intent.

Judge Michael Byrne passed a life sentence, recommending he serve at least five years and three months.

The judge said Jayne Procter was the defendant's ex-girlfriend and had three children - the youngest being Singleton's - but was now with new partner Gary Robinson.

Recounting the facts of the case, he said Singleton had left a pub on August 24 last year and went to Cherry Crescent, Oswaldtwistle, taking with him a nine-inch hollow wheel brace. He entered the house and then used it to attack Mr Robinson.

Mr Robinson suffered an arm fracture, which needed surgery to insert a plate, and had cuts to his head.

In a statement made after the attack, the victim said he did not think the defendant would ever cause him harm - but had since become paranoid and had nightmares.

Singleton pleaded guilty on the basis that he had drunk nine or 10 pints of alcohol. He said he left the pub after being told his daughter had been hurt, picking up the first thing to hand.

The court heard Singleton had 10 convictions for 17 offences. In 1987, at the age of 17, he was given three years in youth custody for an assault on a girl in an alleyway.