A COUPLE who were viciously assaulted outside their own home have told how their attacker has destroyed their peace of mind.

Pensioners Jack and Jean Corless, of Oak Avenue, Rising Bridge, said they are now looking forward to putting the ordeal behind them and trying to rebuild their lives.

They were speaking after attacker Lee Peel was jailed for 12 months at Burnley Crown Court.

Mr Corless, a transport manager and former HGV driver who retired after a heart attack in 1997, suffered a fractured collarbone and dislocated shoulder after he fell to the ground and was kicked twice by Peel during the attack at 11pm on 22 April last year.

His wife said: "The witness room in court was full. They all turned up because they saw what happened and were disgusted. They all wanted to see him punished for what he'd done to us.

"If he hadn't been given a custodial sentence we'd have been so disappointed because of what he's done to Jack.

"For five weeks he couldn't go out. The specialists have told him he is permanently disfigured. He will always have problems and pain with it.

"It also caused a bad infection in his lung. He couldn't breathe and he looked like an old man. He really was bad. He couldn't clear his lungs because he couldn't cough.

"The doctor was disgusted at the state he was in.

"At 66 you don't mend or bounce back the same. But it could have been worse, it could have killed him."

Jack and Jean used to run the northern division of the Bambi Owners' Club for motorhome enthusiasts.

But since the assault the couple, who have three-grown-up daughters, have had to sell their van because Mr Corless can no longer steer it properly.

Jean said: "That's the thing that's changed us most. We loved our motorhome, we'd had it for eight years and did eight rallies a year.

"We made so many friends but we can't meet them now because you have to have a Bambi. We just used to set off anywhere. We haven't got the freedom now

"We just can't do it anymore through one silly cowardly man."

Jack was also a keen DIY enthusiast but can no longer carry out many jobs because he cannot lift or carry heavy objects.

He said: "It definitely took my quality of life away. I was always pretty active. It's rather upsetting but my daughter says I have to put it behind me and not spoil my life.

"I wanted him put inside. I think he deserved it because of how aggressive he was.

"I don't like to think of anybody locked away but if it stops him doing it to somebody else, that's good."