A ‘DANGEROUS’ thug caged for his part in crimes including a savage machete attack on a pensioner deserved every day of his jail term, the Court of Appeal has ruled.

Ziggy Cawley, 24, of Rollesby Close, Brandlesholme, Bury, was locked up for 18 years at Bolton Crown Court on June 2 last year.

Branded a ‘danger to the public’ he was ordered to serve an extra two years on licence after his release from custody.

Cawley admitted aggravated burglary, attempted aggravated burglary and causing grievous bodily harm with intent to 70-year-old Robert Holman at his home in Bury and Bolton Road, Higher Ainsworth in April 2016.

Cawley was part of a gang of machete-wielding burglars who attacked Mr Holman after breaking into his home.

The 70-year-old victim’s elbow joint was severed as he tried to protect himself from the fearsome blade.

He was also involved in a knife, hammer and axe fight in Walmersley Road, Bury, in January 2016 and was convicted, by a jury, of violent disorder.

An ‘explosion of extreme violence between two armed groups’ had taken place, said Lady Justice Rafferty.

The savagery which unfolded terrified members of the public who looked on in shocked disbelief.

Cawley had 13 previous convictions, for 16 crimes, including robbery and burglary.

But his barrister, Howard Godfrey QC, argued that Cawley would be 36 before he was eligible for release, the jail term was too tough and should be cut.

He was ‘not very bright’ and ‘easily led’ and had taken park in ‘drink and drug-fuelled madness led by others’, he said.

But his progress since being in prison has been ‘remarkably encouraging’, added the QC.

However, Lady Justice Rafferty said Cawley had inflicted ‘violence and terror’ on innocent people. It was ‘not arguable the sentence is manifestly excessive’, ruled the judge, who was sitting with Mr Justice Spencer and Mr Justice Morris and dismissed the appeal.