Brother attacked in

row over sex abuse A MAN needed 20 stitches after being given "a good going over" by his brothers in a row over sex abuse when they were younger, a court was told.

Burnley Crown Court heard how Harry Windle was attacked after twins Mark, 35, and Andrew turned up at his home and he suffered cuts, swelling and bruising.

Mark Windle, of Selby Street, Nelson, admitted assault causing actual bodily harm and his case was adjourned for a trial over the facts. He was bailed to live at his home address. The defendant sobbed in the dock as he told the court: "I just wish we could have talked. It just all went wrong. I love my brother, I did then and I still do."

Anthony Mazzag, prosecuting, said in February, the victim was at his home when the defendant and his twin brother Andrew walked in uninvited. Andrew started to question Harry about abuse they had suffered as children as they thought the victim knew something about it.

Andrew Windle started to poke Harry in the nose with his finger and he was punched several times. Harry Windle grabbed a candlestick to protect himself, threw it at his brothers and then the victim felt a heavy blow to his left eye.

Mr Windle was left dazed and he heard one of the twins say: "He's had enough." The defendant and his twin left and Harry Windle went to hospital.

Paul Hague, defending, said the offence arose out of a family history which was sad and traumatic and was an "outflowing of anger."

The brothers came from a family of 10 children and when the defendant and Andrew were young they were abused, although not by Harry. Their ordeal had affected their approach to life and on a number of occasions in the past, Windle had tried to discuss the matter with his brother but received the cold shoulder, he said.