A BRUTAL attacker who knocked nine of a fisherman's teeth out in a 'revenge' assault with a hammer, has been jailed for 12 months.

Burnley Crown Court heard how victim, Stefan Chadwick, who had been with friends in Whitworth, was walking past Jack Braund's home when the defendant came out, brandishing a hammer.

Drunken and angry Braund ran towards one of the group swinging the weapon around and shouted at Mr Chadwick: "You're going to get it next" before smashing him in the face with it, hitting the victim's right cheek. Mr Chadwick felt immediate pain and his teeth started falling out.

Braund swung the hammer again, but then went into his house. Mr Chadwick went to hospital for treatment. He had lost seven teeth and two more had to be removed surgically.

The defendant, 21, of Thorburn Drive, Whitworth, admitted inflicting grievous bodily harm and possessing an offensive weapon, on July 28.

Sentencing Braund, who has a previous conviction for violence with a baseball bat, Recorder Tina Landale told him: "It was, quite simply, a brutal attack."

Emma Kehoe, prosecuting, said Mr Chadwick and been fishing with friends at Cowm Park Reservoir and were on their way home at 8pm.

They were walking down Market Street, when they saw Braund, who they knew, at the front door of his house, with his father in front of him, shouting and trying to get out into the street. He managed to emerge, brandishing the hammer.

Police were called and were on their way to Market Street, when they came across the victim, who was clearly injured and had blood dripping from his mouth.

The prosecutor said Braund was arrested and questioned and made admissions. The defendant told officers there was animosity between himself and one of the group over a girl. The defendant had six offences on his record.

Richard Dawson, defending Braund, who has been working for a Manchester company, said: "His level of immaturity perhaps belies his chronological age. He is prone to acting impulsively."

The barrister continued :" He asserts that they came to his address, had been remonstrating outside the address, kicking at the door and the like." Mr Dawson said the defendant panicked and lost control and went out to confront them.