TWO gang members who went to "sort out" a man and set about him with a hammer as he slept were today starting jail terms.

Victim John Simpson, 22, was left with a lacerated arm and bruises and swelling to his face and body after the attack at his Nelson home.

He was left with marks consistent with being attacked with a hammer head and he escaped more serious effects because of prompt medical attention, Burnley Crown Court heard.

The court was told one assailant, Kevin O' Reilly, 27, who has three previous convictions for violence, boasted about what he had done.

Another attacker, Wayne Turnbull, had been given a referral order by a court the day before.

O'Reilly, of Arthur Street, was jailed for 16 months. Turnbull, 16, of Taylor Street, got four months detention.

A third gang member, Enis Arturner, 15, of Mansfield Crescent, was given a two-year supervision order. All defendants, who live in Brierfield, admitted assault causing actual bodily harm.

Judge Pamela Badley said such behaviour could not be tolerated in a civilised society.

She told O'Reilly that after the assault he had boasted. She went on: "That's rather juvenile.

"It also explains how you come to be in the company of people very much younger than yourself."

The judge continued: "You have an issue with regard to your maturity."

She added O'Reilly had had problems with drink in the past but had been given chances and had desisting from drinking too much.

The judge told Turnbull attempts had been made in the past to help him with non-custodial sentences.

She told Arturner, who was 14 when he committed the offence, that had she had the powers he would have been joining Turnbull in detention and added: "Your mother needs a great deal of support in helping you at this time."