AN ex-convict with a string of violence convictions and dubbed a dangerous man by a judge was today starting a life jail term.

Alcoholic Roger Atkinson, 56, who has served time for attempted rape, had set upon his niece's estranged husband David Loughlin after a family bonfire party.

He stamped on and kicked his face, leaving him with his jaw smashed in two places.

The father of two was given the life sentence at Burnley Crown Court after he was found guilty of causing grievous bodily harm with intent. It was his second conviction for a serious offence.

Judge Lesley Newton said, although the sex offence was in 1965, Atkinson had a "dreadful" criminal record dating back to his childhood and she could not be persuaded he was not a danger to the public.

She said the attack on Mr Loughlin was 'inexplicable and unprovoked,' and a consultant psychiatrist reported the defendant was emotionally unstable and impulsive as well as having a serious drink problem.

The judge said Atkinson had almost 100 convictions, including an indecent assault on a child and a burglary, for which he was given five years behind bars.

Most worrying were the nine convictions for violence, including assault, wounding and previous bodily harm.

The judge said: "I very much hope the risk your represent will be reduced by the appropriate psychologist and other interventions while you are in prison."

Atkinson, of Blaschomy Square, Colne, had faced retrial for the assault on Mr Loughlin after a first jury failed to reach a verdict. He denied the charge throughout. The defendant must serve two years and 44 weeks before he can be considered for parole.

Mark Lamberty, prosecuting, said Mr Loughlin had a lot to drink at the party in Colne and got home in the early hours.

The defendant later turned up at his house in a car and was let in by Mr Loughlin, who did not think there was any problem.

Atkinson butted the victim, knocking him to the floor over furniture and then stamped on his head, causing a bilateral fracture of the jaw.

Mr Lamberty said the defendant said: "That's for Jane," and got back in his car, telling a passenger he had burst the complainant's nose. He seemed agitated and angry.

Mr Loughlin was taken to hospital, had surgery to have plates put in his face and his jaw wired but discharged himself after three days.

When the defendant was later arrested, he said he had visited Mr Loughlin and nothing untoward happened.

Tim Ashmole, defending, urged the court to find exceptional circumstances as the two serious offences were committed 37 years apart, although he accepted there was a history of offending by Atkinson in between.

The offences were of a different nature although there must have been an element of force of violence in the sex offence.

Atkinson was 18 when he was sentenced for attempted rape.

The barrister said Atkinson had not done himself any favours and had failed to concede to the GBH offence so the psychiatrist had not been able to assess the risk he posed.

Atkinson clearly had personality difficulties and was dependent on alcohol.

Mr Ashmole added the defendant, who had been on the long-term sick and not worked for some time, had a stable relationship and his family had supported him through the proceedings.