AN eyewitness who saw a man’s head being stamped on in a Burnley street feared he might be dead, a court heard.

Victim Robbie Lunt, 18, suffered a fractured cheekbone and a bleed on the brain after the Boxing Day attack but later recovered, Burnley Crown Court was told.

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But John Foreman, 26, and Thomas Dooley, 21, are now starting 18-month jail sentences for their roles in the violence in Burnley Wood.

Prosecutor Jacob Dyer said the victim had spent Christmas Day at his uncle’s and remembered little regarding what had led up to the attack before waking up in hospital later.

One neighbour later told how Foreman could be seen standing over the unconscious teenager and ‘repeatedly jumping on his head’, he added.

Mr Dyer said: “One witness said that he was alternating between kicks and stamps and he says he thought he (Lunt) was dead because of what was going on.”

The court heard Dooley, standing watching, initially urged Foreman to leave it. Foreman aimed one last kick at the teenager’s head, lifting him off the floor. Dooley then kicked him to the head as well while he was on the floor.

Dooley and another man, 23-year-old Tyler Townley, were also involved in a town centre attack on Peter Hodgson-Smith and Sarah Balmbra on November 7 last year, which began in Ormerod Street and spilled over into Manchester Road.

Townley also injured a police officer’s hand in a struggle, as attempts were made to arrest Dooley in the street, causing the officer to be off work for five-and-a-half weeks.

Dooley, of Coal Clough Lane, Burnley, admitted two charges of affray and assault. Foreman, also of Coal Clough Lane, admitted causing grievous bodily harm.

Townley, of Netherby Street, Burnley, who admitted affray and assault, was given a nine-month prison sentence, suspended for two years.

Philip Holden, for Dooley, said his client had suffered serious stab wounds in a second incident shortly after the Boxing Day attack.

Dooley had been exhibiting symptoms of paranoia and psychosis, at the time of offences.

Hugh McKee, for Foreman, said the defendant had his own mental health difficulties.

James Heyworth, for Townley, said his client was trying to put his offending history behind him.