TWO men who carried out what a judge called an "act of retaliation" have avoided being sent to prison.

A man visiting his sister's home in Padiham ended up with injuries that included three fractured ribs.

But the men accused of the assault believed he had been a passenger in a car which had earlier been driven at one of them.

Shaun Betney, aged 44, of Martholme Avenue, Clayton-le-Moors and Stuart Patterson, 22, of Harley Street, Burnley, were both given community sentences by a judge passing sentence at Preston Crown Court.

Glyn Davies had been at his sister's home on Beech Street in November last year and they were listening to music in the early hours when there was a knock at the door.

Roger Green, prosecuting, said Betney appeared, went towards the front door and punched Mr Davies in the face, resulting in him falling backwards.

He punched Mr Davies several more times. The prosecution said that Patterson was seen to kick him a number of times in the ribs.

Betney later claimed in police interview that a car had deliberately tried to run him over and that he believed Mr Davies had been a passenger. He had gone to the address to try and find out what had been going on.

He claimed Mr Davies had started the punching and he had only responded in self-defence. Patterson said he himself had been acting as a peacemaker, but may have unintentionally caught the man with his foot.

The judge told defence counsel Richard Hunt that he was willing to follow the recommendations of pre-sentence reports.

Betney was placed on two years' community rehabilitation. Patterson was ordered to carry out 200 hours' community service.