Two violent thugs who stabbed a Chorley baker before robbing him have been jailed for what police describe as a 'brutal' crime.

Cousins Carl Snape, 33, of Barn Meadow, Clayton Brook, and Matthew Snape, 20, of Ashby Street, Chorley, each received six year prison sentences at Burnley Crown Court on Friday, August 12.

The pair pleaded guilty to charges of robbery and wounding in relation to the incident which took place on Sunday October 10, 2004, at the Uppercrust Bakery, Eaves Lane, Chorley. Chorley Police said the proprietor of the business was on the premises at around 8.30pm doing the baking for the following day when the pair approached the rear of the building and banged on shutters.

The raiders, wearing Halloween masks and hoods, then gained access through the front door and attacked the victim with wooden sticks on his head and body.

He was then stabbed several times in the leg with a knife before being forced into a cold storage area. The robbers escaped with around £700 and a Bosch drill.

The baker was taken to hospital for treatment to his injuries and later made a full recovery.

Inspector Ian Roberts, of Chorley Police, said following the convictions: "The fact that the two offenders got a considerable custodial sentence is a good result.

"This was a brutal attack on a person just going about his job.

"It sends out the message that violent crime in Chorley will not be tolerated and will be harshly dealt with."