TWO cousins who carried out a vicious attack on a party guest have failed to have their jail sentences reduced.

Alan and Derek Edwards were sentenced to four-and-a-half years and four years respectively at Preston Crown Court last June after each pleaded guilty to causing grievous bodily harm.

The Court of Appeal heard that Derek had got into an argument with a guest he had invited round to his house.

The victim had run away with him and his cousin in hot pursuit, and both had rained kicks to his head and body as well as stamping on him.

A witness said she had felt "sickened" by what she saw and thought the victim was dead, said Mrs Justice Rafferty, who was sitting with Lord Justice Pill and Mr Justice Gross.

She said she had seen the same photographs of the injuries as the sentencing judge, which "could not fail to have an affect" on the terms he had passed on both men.

The victim had suffered bruising, shoe prints were seen on his body and brain swelling had necessitated a bolt being placed in his skull to monitor pressure, she said.

Derek Edwards, 22, of Moorgate Street, Blackburn, had previous convictions but none for violence offences. Alan Edwards, 28, of Andrews Close, Blackburn, also had previous convictions, including two for violence.