Two men who launched a vicious, unprovoked attack on a man moments after he had a fit have been jailed for five years.

Michael Glancy and Peter George mocked Tyson Price as he suffered a seizure before repeatedly punching him as he fell in and out of consciousness.

Mr Price, 23, suffered broken ribs, cracked teeth and injuries to his body during the unprovoked attack on a grassy area in the grounds of St James’s Church in Accrington in May last year.

The victim suffered a stroke some time after the attack and has been left relying on crutches and a wheelchair. Doctors have been unable to establish whether the stroke was caused by the attack or a fall Mr Price suffered the next day.

Recorder Sally Hatfield jailed Glancy, of Siddows Avenue, Clitheroe and George, of Adelaide Street, Blackburn, for five years after they earlier pleaded guilty to attempting to cause grievous bodily harm with intent.

Sentencing the pair, Hatfield said: “It was a joint attack against a defenceless and probably, for some time, an unconscious man. Your level of violence was significant.”

Preston Crown Court heard how George, Glancy and Glancy’s then girlfriend Dianne Bowman had been drinking alcohol as they sat outside St James’s Church on May 11 last year.

Robert Golinski, prosecuting, said  Mr Price started chatting to Miss Bowman about his fits when he actually started to have one.

Mr Golinski said Glancy, 29, didn’t like his girlfriend talking to Mr Price. George and Glancy then taunted Mr Price about having a fit.

Moments later, as Mr Price came round, Glancy suddenly lashed out and twice punched him in the face.

Mr Golinski said George, 26, then kicked Mr Price in the head several times and blood started coming from his ears. As the attack continued, Miss Bowman put herself between them and was hit a number of times.

Mr Golinski said Mr Price went to hospital because he had swelling to his head. He had an x-ray and was then discharged.

Andrew Nuttall, defending George, said George had always denied kicking the victim in the head during the attack.

Martin Hackett, defending Glancy, admitted the offence was a “bad one” but said it was not planned. 

Speaking after the pair were sentenced, DC Helen Mercer, of Accrington CID, said: “Mr Price can’t go out any more as he is anxious and feels he can’t defend himself.”