Two men who were jailed for attacking an Accrington man have been given new sentences following his death.
Derek Wildeman, 41, was seriously assaulted at his home on Coleridge Street in Blackburn in February 2013, he was attacked after confronting a teenager who was vandalising his home.
He was so badly beaten that he had been unable to eat, talk or walk.
Mr Wildeman died at Royal Preston Hospital in February last year. He had been undergoing rehabilitation in Burnley but returned to hospital after his condition deteriorated.
Two men, an uncle and nephew, were jailed in October 2013 in connection with his assault.
Steven Quigley, 31 of Rothesay Road in Blackburn was sentenced to life in prison after pleading guilty to section 18 wounding with intent, and was told he must serve a minimum of five years and 138 days.
His uncle Gary Quigley, 43 of Aberdare Close in Blackburn pleaded guilty to section 20 wounding and was sentenced to 20 months in prison.
A spokesperson for Lancashire Police said: “Following discussions with the Crown Prosecution Service after Mr Wildeman’s death, the case was referred to the Attorney General’s Office which gave consent for Steven Quigley to be charged with murder and for Gary Quigley to be prosecuted for manslaughter.
“On Tuesday, July 7 at Preston Crown Court Steven Quigley pleaded guilty to murder and was sentenced to life to serve a minimum term of 15 years and Gary Quigley admitted manslaughter and was jailed for four years.”
Former St Nicholas C of E Primary pupil Derek, who was born and bred in Accrington, had moved to Blackburn in recent years, where the attack took place.
The court heard that Derek was attacked by the pair after he had confronted a teenager he found vandalising his home. Steven Quigley had reacted with fury after hearing of the incident and had climbed through Derek’s window.
Derek came face-to-face with him and was immediately punched to the floor before being repeatedly battered about the head and body.
He died in the Royal Blackburn Hospital on Friday, February 14.
