A 23-YEAR-OLD has been jailed for a violent attack on two brothers, which left one needing reconstructive surgery.

Ashley Burnett knocked Mark Dale unconscious with a bottle, because he mistakenly believed he had thrown his crutch on a bonfire.

Burnett then attacked Mr Dale's brother Peter with the bottle as he tried to defend his sibling.

Stoke-on-Trent Crown Court yesterday heard the incident happened in an area called Sandy Hill, in Chesterton, on September 18 last year.

Robert Price, prosecuting, said: "The defendant struck Mark Dale in the face with a bottle, rendering him unconscious. He raised his leg over Mr Dale's body as if to stamp on him, and his brother ran over to assist him.

"The defendant grabbed hold of Peter Dale with both arms and took him to the ground."

A scuffle ensued, and Burnett's brother became involved. Burnett then struck Peter Dale in the face with the bottle. Both victims were taken to hospital. Mark Dale had two teeth knocked out, a fractured jaw and various cuts and bruises to his head.

His brother had a fractured cheek and a broken eye socket, which had to be reconstructed by surgeons.

Burnett, of Crackley Bank, Crackley, was arrested, but while on bail he carried out another attack on two other men.

The court heard Burnett and two friends had bumped into brothers-in-law Andrew Simpson and Richard Holland, on London Road, in Chesterton, in the early hours of November 6.

Mr Price said: "The complainants were known to the defendant. Mr Simpson asked the defendant why he was such a bad lad, and said he terrorised people.

"The defendant reacted by punching Mr Simpson in the face."

Mr Holland intervened and a scuffle broke out between the men and Burnett's group.

Mr Simpson fell to the floor and was kicked repeatedly to the head and ribs. Both victims managed to escape.

The court heard Burnett has five previous convictions for violence.

He pleaded guilty to causing Mark Dale and Peter Dale grievous bodily harm, assaulting Andrew Simpson, occasioning him actual bodily harm, and unlawfully wounding Richard Holland.

Patrick Thompson, defending, said: "He regrets the way he behaved very much.

"He has knuckled down since he has been in custody, and has been calm and compliant."

Judge Paul Glenn sentenced Burnett to two years in prison for the first incident, and 12 months consecutive for the second, making a total of three years. He will serve half the sentence, with the rest on licence. The 106 days he spent on remand will be deducted from the term.